Texas A&M first-time voters share what motivated them to vote in this election

On November 1, 2024By Karl

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Tens of millions of new voters became eligible to vote during this election cycle. Since it is a presidential election, important issues such as the economy and women’s health are being monitored. These appear to be pressing issues that have led most Texas A&M students to enroll this year.

According to experts at Tufts University, 41 million Generation Z will be able to vote on November 58 million of them have the right to vote for the first time. In what is expected to be a tight election, these 8 million votes could play a crucial role.

So KBTX started talking to some first-time voters on the Texas A&M campus to find out what motivated their decision.

We spoke to 13 first-time voters in total. What is the issue that comes to voters’ minds most when voting?

Economy.

An overwhelming majority of voters we spoke to said they were concerned about the cost of items.

“This is the economy. I mean, I know having to pay for college and stuff hit me hard too. I’m paying for college on my own,” said first-time voter Ashley Hill of Waller. “When I saw how negative all of this was, I wanted to see a change, so I voted.”

Trinity Noll of Longview echoed Hill’s concern.

“Economy. That’s my biggest thing. For example, I am a university student. Living is expensive right now, and this is the most expensive time of my life,” Noll explained.

However, the primary issue of all the voters we spoke to was not the economy.

“Women’s rights,” first-time voter Jaqualon Scott from Houston chimed in. “You know, I feel like a lot of things aren’t fair the way things are. So when I show up today, I feel like we can make a change for them.”