On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris gave the people their first and only presidential debate in Philadelphia.
Hosted by ABC and moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis, during the 90 minutes, the debate covered topics like abortion, economics, immigration, and their ‘plans’ if elected as president. The Voice talked to students about their thoughts on the presidential debate and the upcoming election in November.
Thomas Alvarez, 17, a dual enrollment student who did not watch the debate and can’t vote yet stated, “From what I’ve heard, I am Team Harris.”
Another student who did not watch the debate, Devin Abo, 20, Film Production, is undecided. “I probably won’t vote for Trump,” Abo said. “ I think a lot of it comes from the environment that I’m in, a lot of my family doesn’t like Trump, but I would need to educate myself on Harris before I decide to vote for her myself.”
Armando Yannick, 37, New Media and Communications student, watched the whole debate and recognized that Vice President Harris is a well-spoken woman, however, he feels she evaded most of the questions to play it safe and avoid controversy at all costs. “ I am team Trump – at least to me and many people I know are living paycheck to paycheck, and groceries, gas, everything is unaffordable since Biden started. And Kamala has had the opportunity all these four years to do something, but she has not,” Yannick said.
Two students did not watch the presidential debate and will not be voting during the November election. Fatima Gutierrez, 23, Biomedical Sciences, explained, “ To be honest, I have no idea because I don’t know anything about politics here.” Another student, Angela Nguyen, 19, Psychology, stated, “I just started here this semester. I don’t watch a lot of news.”
Carlos Torres, 23, UCF Pre-Physical Therapy did not have the opportunity to watch the presidential debate, but said he has “always leaned left” as he learned more throughout high school and it “always stuck” with him.
Three more students did watch the presidential debate and will be voting for Harris during the November election. Nelly Cuevas 19, Biology, simply stated, “I feel like she aligns more with my views.”
Vanessa Cruz, 22, Health Sciences, explained, “ I feel like the most important thing for me is women’s rights, access to abortion, and then just her knowledge. She was a prosecutor. I feel like she knows what she’s talking about.”
Mikeila Rosado, 18, Psychology, plans to vote for Harris. “She actually has a plan, Trump only has a concept of a plan.” Rosado also mentioned that women’s health care “and the right of abortion” is important to her.
The last day to register to vote in Florida is October 7, 2024. Students and staff can register to vote or check their voter registration on usa.gov.
Early voting in Orange and Osceola counties is from October 21 – November 3. Election day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
