Freyja Quinn (PP ’25, MPP ’26) Featured on MSNBC

October 24, 2024

Young Voters Could Decide the 2024 Election

MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle sat down with a group of students at Rutgers University in New Jersey, most of whom will be voting for the first time, to find out what issues are driving their vote — and what questions they’d ask the candidates. Among those interviewed was Bloustein School Public Policy (PP ’25, MPP ’26) student Freyja Quinn.

A recent poll shows Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are tied in the upcoming presidential race, with Harris having an edge among younger voters. Many of these young voters are casting their ballots for the first time, and their enthusiasm is palpable. Students from Rutgers University express excitement, though some also share a sense of nervousness due to the political polarization surrounding the election. Despite concerns about the candidates, many are motivated by key issues like LGBTQ rights, healthcare, immigration, and the economy. However, students have noted a lack of direct engagement from the campaigns regarding their policy stances.

On college campuses like Rutgers, political conversations can be difficult due to the fear of social backlash, especially for those supporting Trump in a predominantly progressive environment. Social media plays a significant role in shaping political views, but some worry it creates ideological echo chambers. While students acknowledge the Harris campaign’s strength in social media outreach, they feel that both campaigns could do more to communicate policy goals directly to young voters, particularly in non-battleground states. Many feel that the focus on personalities in politics often overshadows meaningful discussions on policy.

As Quinn says, “There’s just something about the aura of the presidential election that is heightened in ways we do not fully get to understand until we are able to cast our ballot.”

Recent Posts

Zhang et al. Study Street-View Greenspace and Exercise

GPS-based street-view greenspace exposure and wearable assessed physical activity in a prospective cohort of US women Abstract Background Increasing evidence positively links greenspace and physical activity (PA). However, most studies use measures of greenspace, such...

NJSPL: Some College, No Credential Population in NJ

Overview of the Some College, No Credential Population and Educational Outcomes in New Jersey, 2023–2024 New Jersey State Policy Lab Supporting New Jersey residents in returning to college after leaving without a credential has been an increasing focus of the state’s...

Loh and Noland Explore Public Charging Station Disparities

Equal charging for all: Are there income-based disparities in public charging stations? Abstract We compare charging station accessibility for different income groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. Using a microsimulation model, we estimate charging station...

Heldrich Center Releases New Work Trends Brief and Website

The Heldrich Center for Workforce Development is pleased to announce the availability of two new research products resulting from its long-running public opinion polling series, Work Trends. To better understand the public’s attitudes about work, employers, and the...

NJSPL Report: Analyzing the Use and Equity of ARPA Funds

Report Release: Analyzing the Use and Equity of ARPA Funds in NJ Local Governments and Beyond New Jersey State Policy Lab The American Rescue Plan Act’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA-SLFRF) represent a historic $350 billion investment to...