84 percent of UNG students polled plan to vote in tomorrow’s midterms

The UNG Gainesville campus is buzzing with talk among students about political party favorites. Phone screens are plastered with news coverage and alerts. Hallways and classrooms have become hubs of debate.

UNG Gainesville students are preparing to cast their votes; the midterms are tomorrow, Nov. 6.

In advance of the election, the Vanguard surveyed UNG Gainesville students about their voting plans. The survey suggests that more UNG students will vote this year than did in 2016.

The Vanguard survey shows high interest from students to be a part of the outcome in the election, in which votes will decide the fate of all 435 House of Representatives seats and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate, plus 36 gubernatorial races.

Of the 228 students who took the Vanguard survey, 87 percent are registered to vote and 84 percent said they plan to vote in the midterms. Sixty percent of those polled voted in the 2016 presidential election, excluding those who were too young to vote that year.

The results collected from the Vanguard survey echo nationwide data.

Across the country, polls are predicting the largest young voter turnout in U.S. history. A survey released by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government stated that 40 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds say they will “definitely vote” in the midterm elections.

If those people actually vote, this year’s turnout will break the highest record — 21 percent in both 1986 and 1994, the Harvard study said.

Not only do students view the midterm election as important, they also emphasize the importance of voting in general.

An overwhelming 95 percent of students polled say voting is important. The survey prompted them to explain why.

“It gives the youth a voice and a chance to invoke change,” noted one student.

“My ancestors fought for the right to vote. I must use it,” answered one student.

“I vote to take a selfie with my sticker at the end,” wrote another.