Today, Tuesday, Nov. 5 is the last day for voting in the 2024 election. In an extremely close race, students at Grand Rapids Community College report feeling both excited and nervous about the pending results.
The most recent poll compiled by The New York Times is neck and neck, as Democratic nominee Kamala Harris holds a one percentage point lead over third-time Republican nominee Donald Trump. As one of the most important swing states in the election, Michigan maintains that same 49% to 48% lead for Harris.
With the race being so close, 19-year-old Sophia Deweerd, of Grand Rapids, shared that waiting for results is “a little bit nerve-wracking and causes some anxiety” but that she’s feeling “hopeful for the outcome” and plans to track the results as they come in.
This is the first presidential election Deweerd is voting in, same as 19-year-old Harmony Warren of Grand Rapids, who is also feeling “both excited and a little bit nervous” about this election.
“(I voted) because if I get a say in not having a felon in the office, then I’m going to try to do whatever I can,” said Warren.
While the closeness of the race causes many students to stress, Elijah Neumann, 20, of Grand Rapids, sees both positives and negatives in the closeness of the race.
“I think it’s good that it’s close, but I also think it’s, in a way, it has negatives because it means that the country’s divided 50-50, so no matter who wins, there’s gonna be a large part of the country that’s unhappy with the results, and also a large proportion that are happy with it,” he said.
Lowell resident Jenessa Cardinal, 22, believes that one thing uniting Americans amongst all the division is fear.
“I’m scared,” she said. “I think no matter what side you are on, everyone is scared.”
Voting in her second election, 25-year-old Madyson Barlowe said “I just feel like it’s important to vote, you know, when I hear people say they don’t vote because they don’t want to, I’m just like that’s a waste. Why waste something that you have an opportunity to do”
According to the Michigan Secretary of State, a total of 3.2 million Michiganders either voted early or absentee ahead of election day.
Office Manager of the Kent County Democrats, Matthew Morey, shared that in Grand Rapids turnout has been high and that the democrats are feeling “cautiously confident.” Morey also spoke to the integrity of this election, saying that this is a fair election.
“There are individuals from every political strike, Republicans, Democrats, independents and otherside all involved in the process and we are all committed to having a fair election,” said Morey. “Because if you don’t have fair elections, you don’t have democracy.”
The Collegiate reached out to the Kent County GOP for comment but they could not be reached.
Specific issues are bringing some students to the polls. Voting in his first election, 18-year-old Camden Crum believes that this is a high-stakes election.
“For me, I’m a big firearms advocate,” Crum said. “It’s a big hobby of mine, I like to do shooting sports and then you have issues like abortion where I don’t believe in the Republicans on abortion. People don’t just have one opinion, you have a variety.”
Consuelo Hernandez, 18, of Wyoming, felt compelled to vote because of immigration.
“I’m voting Kamala, and I don’t agree with any of Trump’s policies or anything like that. My parents are immigrants and it just goes against my morals, so that’s why I’m going to vote.”
Student government president Alex Miranda encouraged students to do their research before voting.
“Whoever you are voting for, do your research and make sure that they represent you and your community,” Miranda said.
Campus Activities Board president Brayden Smith also encourages students to go to the polls once they’ve done their research.
“I think voting is really important,” Smith said. “Even if you feel like your voice won’t make a big difference, each vote adds to the overall support for your chosen party.”
Polls will be open until 8 p.m. tonight, if you are still in line at 8 stay in line and cast your ballot. If you are not yet registered to vote, you’re still able to register the same day.
Managing editor Vanessa Hewitt, sports editor Jack Walker and Collegiate reporters Bianca Bower, Brendan Duneghy, Grace Howard and Rebeca Lopez contributed.
