Political civility, cost-of-living among top issues for local young voters

SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — Ahead of Election Day, America’s youngest voters are focused on the cost of living and bridging the political divide.

Many college students are casting their vote for the first time this year, painfully aware of what awaits the majority of them after graduation: a mountain of student debt, surging costs of everything from health insurance, to car payments, and a housing crisis to top it all off.

“A lot of Americans are unable to afford the things they need every day,” said Izebella Upham, sophomore at Whitworth University. “Especially being a college student, once I get out in the world, after these next two years, I’m scared I won’t be able to afford a house.”

Sophie St. Jacques, a sophomore at Whitworth University, said it can be overwhelming to think about future finances.

“Looking at housing rates, looking at affordability, it’s really stressful,” she said.

But even so, affordability wasn’t the top grievance for many of these students.

In fact, the majority of students who spoke with 4 News Now were first to mention their disappointment and exhaustion with the current state of American politics; hopeful this election season gives way to more unity in the country.

“When I look at the political scene right now, I’m distraught and saddened by a lot of the harm, hate, and divisiveness that’s spewed at many different levels,” said Isaac Price, Student Body President at Whitworth.

That sentiment was shared by Gonzaga’s student body president, Maddie Ediger, who’s spending her vote on a candidate she feels will bridge the political gap.

“If you’re moving forward in a positive and hopeful manner, and trying to bring people together, then I have a lot more confidence in how you’re going to act on issues that I disagree on,” said Ediger.

For many students, participating in the election at all is key. There’s a push for it on just about every college campus.

“I just don’t think I can complain about something if I wasn’t part of the solution,” said Madeleine Smathers, a sophomore at Gonzaga, who spends her time assisting students with voter registration.

Back at Whitworth, Price, alongside several other students, are preaching a similar tune; posting flyers around campus to make it easier for students to make their voices heard.

“We’ve been setting up a lot of QR codes around campus so people can register to vote,” said Avery Hamilton, a sophomore at Whitworth. “We’ve also had some viewing parties to watch the presidential debates.”