During the height of election season, Villanova students are making their mark on campus and encouraging their peers to become active in the political race. Villanova is home to a variety of student opinions and perspectives. Villanova has a College Republicans student organization, as well as a Democratic Party organization. In the past, both student groups have hosted meetings about certain political issues, welcomed political candidates on campus and encouraged students to vote. This year, while political tensions rise, both groups continue to advocate for their respective missions, hoping to inspire students to continue their political activism in this election.
The Villanova Democrats hope to increase political awareness on campus through their student involvement and create a space where people feel comfortable expressing their political concerns and opinions. Presidents Annie Curtis and Isabelle Clare identify the club’s role in increasing general knowledge about the election candidates on the local, state and national levels.
“Political participation can be an overwhelming prospect for many, but we aim to generate enthusiasm about civic engagement and desire to help get students registered to vote,” Curtis said.
Like the Democrat group, Villanova’s College Republicans also plan to play a large role in student involvement this semester by bringing politicians to campus, supporting local campaigns and assisting with voter registration. Additionally, it hopes to boost political spirits at Villanova by hosting experts to discuss complex political topics with students. President Andrew Smith identified the urgent mission of the organization in light of the election and specifically with Pennsylvania’s role as a swing state.
“Pennsylvania will be one of the most crucial states in the upcoming election, which gives every student the power to make a significant impact by voting,” Smith said. “Every Villanova student is eligible to vote as a Pennsylvanian in this election, and every vote matters.”
Smith also mentioned the recent redistricting in Radnor township. Villanova previously sat in two precincts with voting locations off campus, but now Villanova has its own precincts, bringing a polling location on campus in the John and Joan Mullen Center for the Performing Arts.
Smith noted that both precincts are composed of mostly Villanova students, which gives students a large voice in voting. The Villanova College Republicans are working with local Republicans to make sure students have the ability to serve as poll workers and volunteers at these locations.
Like Smith, Democratic presidents also emphasized the importance of student voting.
“We believe that college students will play a crucial role in this election,” Curtis said. “We are in a unique position where if we turn out to vote in full force, our generation can be the determining factor in who wins the 2024 election.”
When asked about important policy issues for students in the upcoming election, Smith cites inflation, taxes and unemployment.
“Rents continue to rise faster than wages and college students feel this pressure,” Smith said. He also mentioned rising unemployment rates and the rising federal deficit, and how this will affect students.
“The unemployment rate continues to climb, making it harder and harder for students to find a job after they graduate.” Smith said. He believes that students can play an impactful role in the elections this year, and hopes that the College Republicans will be very active this semester.
On the Democrat side, Curtis and Clare emphasize the significance of foreign policy and reproductive health during this election. They note that the overturn of Roe v. Wade has sparked student attention and passion to influence how the election results turn out.
They also cite the ongoing violence in the Middle East and the United States’ foreign policy positions as a significant topic on young voters’ minds.
“Many students are incredibly passionate about this issue, evidenced by the large number of political demonstrations held on campuses around the world last semester,” Curtis said.
Despite differing political opinions and policy preferences, both student groups emphasize the importance of involvement and political participation for college students in this upcoming election.
