Economy, climate change, reproductive rights big issues for young voters

Feb. 10—In November, President Joe Biden and likely Republican nominee former President Donald Trump are expected to face off in a rematch of the 2020 election. Whichever candidates appear on the ballot on Election Day will be impacted by the decisions of younger voters.

Younger voters provided boosts that led to Barack Obama's two-term presidency and Biden's win over Trump in 2020. But Biden's approval among young voters — those aged 18-to-29 — has dipped from 61 percent in 2020 to 29 percent this year, according to the latest poll from The Associated Press.

Many young voters are plugged in and paying attention, motivated to vote by issues like the economy, immigration, climate change and reproductive rights.

"In the circles I run in," said Jordan Deibler, 21, of Sunbury, "we are very engaged in presidential issues, whether they lean right or left. Even the moderates I know tend to be invested in politics because young people — especially in this generation, and all the polarization — understand that politics is important for their country. For their future."

"Among my peers," added Bridget Bowser, 21, of West Chester, "there is a big mix of emotions surrounding the upcoming election — ranging from frustration and anger to willful ignorance to determination to change the system. The sentiment among young people in the country is one of discontent and anger with the system as a whole. Many feel marginalized and unheard, with an ongoing sense of disillusionment with the political system.

Bowser, a Susquehanna University student, said both candidates disregard the validity of entire groups of people that exist.

"Many young people cannot live with themselves if they vote for someone who makes the decisions Biden has, but voting for Trump would entail voting for a person with even less regard for human lives," she said. "My friends have explained to me that if I voted for Biden, I would be telling the Democratic Party that they were doing enough by having him as their nominee, when, in reality, he is one of the least desirable candidates the Democratic Party could have picked."

Grace Clark, 23, of Lewisburg, and Ben Fink, 22, a Bucknell University student from Tenafly, N.J., know others their age who, like them, are highly engaged in political issues, just like Deibler and Bowser.

"I have some pretty politically driven friends," Clark said. "I can't speak for others, but I am surrounded by people who are pretty passionate about almost everything happening in current events and the way they are affecting our lives and other people's lives.

"A fair amount of my conversations with friends are about what is happening in our government."

Fink said he believes the majority of college students feel the same way he does about the potential impact of this year's election on their lives.

"Young people my age view this as a major election in our history," he said. "I'd love to see elected those individuals who will positively impact our future lives."

The economy

One of the most important factors that impacts every American is the economy, something Deibler is particularly interested in.

"The economy is kind of in shambles compared to what we've heard in generations past," he said. "It's looking more and more impossible for young people to buy houses, start families.

"People want to own homes and right now that might not be a feasible possibility for young people."

Deibler said parts of the economy might be getting better, but many jobs are still being lost to overseas manufacturers.

"I'm hoping to see opportunities for skilled labor come back into the area," he said. "But it's hard to see that with manufacturing going to China, Korea, where it is still cheaper to produce products."

Along the same lines, Bowser thinks income inequality needs to be rectified.

"It is essential for social justice and economic fairness, with measures like raising the federal minimum wage and reducing student debt being crucial steps — two things promised by the Biden administration with no deliverance," she said. "Safeguarding workers' rights and fostering unionization are also essential for ensuring fair wages and suitable working conditions."

Climate change

Environmental sustainability is what Fink believes in, and that is his primary concern for this election.

"My big thing is climate change," Fink said. "We have a major issue on our hands and corporations are making environmental causes difficult. It's very easy for corporations to take over in a small town in Central Pennsylvania, for example, in Lewisburg.

"It's quite frightening. I've met a lot of people who have a business-as-usual mindset. For example, Encina coming to Point Township, which I believe is not good for the environment. It's an example of corporations taking over and impacting families around here. All of this ties in with environmental issues. About Encina, people are engaged."

Clark said climate change is a huge issue for her, too.

"We've been on a really good track this year," she said. "A lot has happened with the Biden administration that has made me really excited and hopeful that our environment will be safer."

Bowser called climate change an urgent threat that demands immediate action and the most pervasive issue to ensure the safety of future generations. She said there needs to be acknowledgment and correction of the current pollution caused by big business.

Fink believes this election comes at a critical point in the climate change crisis.

It's important "for people to take this election as an opportunity to do right by your friends, family and children," he said. "Some individuals and parties are taking the right steps."

National security

Deibler said growing threats to America's national security concern him.

He said the next president will need to "keep our eyes trained on not just Russia, but China. They are the serious threat to our national security and the world order.

"There are troubles with China and Russia all around the world, even in South America," he said. "Countries in our backyard are in turmoil."

Illegal immigrants crossing our southern border is a bad situation.

"We need to get a grip on our borders," Deibler said. "It is important to have safe and legal immigration. I am not against immigration, but at the same time, we have to make sure that people who enter have something to bring to the country, whether it is work ethic or capital. Legal immigration has been laid out by Congress for a reason. We can't have an administration that undercuts that process by just letting people in, the catch-and-release program.

"Immigration ties into security, ties into the economy and is one of the hot polling issues. I know it is an issue Republicans are very passionate about."

Reproductive rights

Reproductive rights are high on Clark's list of critical issues.

"It feels that it directly affects my life," she said. "It's a scary thing. To not be able to have an abortion if I need one. Or if I want to get pregnant, have an appropriate amount of time to recover after giving birth. And not being forced to work up until the day I have to deliver. Having reproductive rights at the federal level and not just at the state level is really important. It's bad that we are moving back from that. I don't know how much can happen but I really want someone to help change things."

Bowser had reproductive rights among the list of issues she'll be considering while choosing a candidate.

"The legal protection of bodily autonomy is crucial for upholding our commitment to liberty and ensuring equal access across all states," she said.

Positive changes

Clark wants the next president to build public support programs for disabled community members.

"My sibling is disabled and dependent on me," Clark said. "Going through the process of trying to find support and community help has been demoralizing, finding out how little there is out there for people that need it."

Clark said the new leader also must look out for the rights of people in other countries.

"I don't want us to stand by idly as these things are happening," she said. "As a major player in the world, we do have the power to create positive change in the world. In some cases, America has done a good job, like when Russia invaded Ukraine, which is appropriately standing against Russia. We need to stand on the right side of history and sometimes I feel we are not doing that."

Bowser said human rights are an issue in our country and across the globe.

"The pervasive issue to me is ignoring the fact that as a nation founded on principles of justice and human rights, we cannot turn a blind eye to atrocities committed against marginalized communities both in the United States and abroad," she said.

The upcoming election highlights the necessity for government recognition of key challenges, including protecting America's democracy and the integrity of elections, Bowser said.

"The next president should handle the solutions to these challenges, prioritizing inclusivity, justice and sustainability to uphold the ideals of liberty and equality," Bowser said. "Since I have been able to vote, all presidential discourse has revolved around the same two men older than my grandma.

"These recurrent limitations in candidate choices highlight the systemic flaws in the electoral system, and reforms must be made to enhance representation and empower voters."