BVSW The Standard - Volume 11 - Election Issue

Election Edition 2020

The Standard blue valley southwest | volume 11

I VOTED

2 | contents / the standard / election 2020

Contents news 4 | To the Polls 6 | Hot Takes 8 | One For the Ages 10 | State Elections 12 | Southwest Decides 14 | Politics? No Thanks.

Opinion 16 | Electoral Dilemma

on the cover A flag and “I Voted� sticker represent the historic 2020 election. Voting concludes on Nov. 3.

volume 11 / election issue bvswnews.com @bvswnews on Instagram, Twitter & Snapchat

photo illustration by Keithan Sharp

3 | editor’s note / the standard / election 2020

Editor’s Note

L

ife, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It seems this Election Day, these unalienable rights hold a special meaning. Politics have taken a greater role in our lives this year, and between debates, political ads and civil, or uncivil, discourse among friends, it is nearly impossible to lead a life without an inundation of politics. Our liberties, as a country and as individuals, have changed. We never imagined there would be a time where restaurants would close, where masks would be required to leave the house, and where travel would be banned throughout the world, but this is exactly the situation we find ourselves. And the pursuit of happiness? We have all seen happiness come and go this year, and politics certainly hasn’t restored tranquility to anyone, but we’ve found new ways to stay positive and stay productive.

In this Election Edition, the first of its kind by The Standard, you will read about how our school leans on the most pressing issues this November. You will read about the perspectives of high school students, including Trump and Biden supporters, and you will learn about how the school came to be a polling place in this election. During this election year, we must fall back on our unalienable rights. Even though we may have evolved in how we view life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, everything will eventually improve, and on this Election Day, you and I can vote to make our voice heard on what direction we want this nation to go. Just remember, the United States of America was designed to be just that: United.

| editor-in-chief

The Standard editor-in-chief keithan sharp online editor karley kent design editor siri chevuru social media manager sahar baha business manager rebecca suku staff writers ellie phillips erica peterson maleena baha adviser rachel chushuk

The Southwest Standard is published seven times a year for students, faculty, and surrounding community of Blue Valley Southwest. It is an open forum for student expression. Therefore, the opinions expressed within this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the administration of Blue Valley Unified School District #229.

Letters to the editor and reader responses are encouraged for publication. The Southwest Standard reserves the right to edit all submissions for both language and content and encourages letters to be no more than 350 words. All letters must be signed and names will be published.

The Standard 17600 Quivira Road Overland Park, KS 66221 Website: bvswnews.com Email: bvswnews@gmail.com

4 | news / the standard / election 2020

To the Polls School building to serve as polling place on election day

W

ith the 2020 presidential election approaching, the district has decided to open up all five high schools as public polling space for voters. Southwest’s inclusion, though it may have little impact on the general student body, is a firsttime event and will be a reflection of these strange times where the election will be taking place during a global pandemic.

Principal Scott Roberts said these high school locations were chosen because of their large spaces that allow for adequate social distancing and parking space to accommodate the voters.

“For the most part, there will be very few staff members and no in-person students the day of the election, so the school will be quiet and empty,” Roberts said. “Voters will be coming through the south entrance and completing their ballots in the auxiliary gym so that they are able

to spread out and implement social distancing.”

The social studies department is offering the America Decides class this semester, which is entirely centered around the presidential election. Social studies teacher Laura Williamson said the class is meant to engage students in political conversation and prepare some of them to participate in their first election as legal voters.

“I don’t personally live within the boundaries to vote here at the school, but I think it’s a great and convenient way for those eligible because of the coronavirus,” Williamson said. “It’s really smart that they are utilizing the schools because, especially now, we need more places to vote so people can feel safe about where they are going.”

Although many students have started to express their individual interests in the election, a small

number of them will actually be able to cast their votes. Senior Tanner Prock is planning to vote at Southwest on Nov. 3.

“I’m not entirely sure the exact area of residents that will be able to vote at the school, but I know I am and so are my parents,” Prock said. “This election, despite the pandemic, is so much different than years previous because no one is really sure who is going to win.”

High school students, specifically juniors and seniors, have several resources in the social studies department to learn about the presidential candidates, and at least start to think about how they may use their vote in the future if not this year.

“I think after 2016, that election cycle got students particularly interested in the voting system because there were so many politicians from both political parties that were running,” Williamson said.

|5

“It pulled in a lot of kids with different interests and, with all of the alleged controversy involved, so many students have continued to follow the candidates again in this election.”

As a student who is of age, Prock said he feels less inclined to vote because of influence from his teachers, but rather a need to complete his civic duty to his country.

“I’m mostly voting just because I finally can, and to not vote is to revoke your right to complain,” Prock said. “However, many of my teachers have kept a tight mouth about things just because they know how opinionated my generation tends to be about those sorts of things.”

One thing that will set this election apart from all others is the presence and exchange of information via social media. With technology advancing, Roberts said there is projected to be such a high voter turnout this year just because of how much knowledge and awareness can be spread on the internet.

“Nearly 70 million ballots have already been cast in early voting and there is going to be such high numbers as a result of this pandemic and all of the alternative modes of voting that haven’t always been available in previous elections,” Roberts said.

Public schools are governmentowned properties and using them as a location for voters is a new way to

ensure people don’t neglect to vote out of fear for their own health or safety. Williamson said this election will surely have a lasting impact on several student voters as it is their first time they are able to participate in an election, while also adjusting to the uncertainties that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“My first time voting is something I remember fondly, and I think those select students who are able to vote at their own school will always be able to remember it,” Williamson said. “Even if they have to wear a mask.”

| karleykent

6 | news / the standard / election 2020

HOT takes

140 students surveyed about which way they lean on political issues

Who do you support in the 2020 election?

50.7% 35.3% 14% Neither/Unsure

Joe Biden Donald Trump

“I support President Trump in this election. Even though I don’t personally like his character, I fully support him because I feel like the state of the country economically was great before COVID-19 hit.” | seniorcadenschaffer

18%

No, we need to get back to normal life I support wearing masks, but I don’t support government mandates Yes, we need to stay as safe as possible

65%

It is not a priority. There are bigger problems that need to be dealt with.

I think it’s a problem, but I don’t know what to do about it.

It is getting worse, and it will affect us in the future.

Do you support mask mandates?

17%

Is climate change a real issue that needs to be addressed?

“I support Joe Biden because I agree with his policies and what he plans to do for the country more than what [Donald] Trump has done. Specifically, I support Joe’s plans on dealing with climate change because that is an issue that is very apparent and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.” | seniorrainpickering

|7

Where do you stand on racial inequality?

Where do you stand on gun control?

I don’t think anything needs to change

We should take immediate action

There needs to be a complete ban on guns

It’s not a major issue

I think some reform needs to be done

I think it’s an issue, but I don’t think we are going about it the right way

“I personally believe that racial inequality is still a very big problem that many people have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. If you choose to ignore the topic you are not helping the problem; you are contributing to it. As a group, we need to address this because if we continue to ignore it it’s just going to affect more lives.” | juniorblakealley

Where do you stand on abortion?

Pro-choice

Pro-life

“Personally, because of my religion, I think abortion is wrong. But I also understand that it is not my decision for other women or people who need it. I don’t think we should defund any services that provide abortion, and I feel like if it’s not your body, then you shouldn’t delegate over it.”

27.5% 11.%

61.5%

| juniorkennadiecampell

Unsure/ Neutral

| rebeccasuku

8 | news / the standard / election 2020

One For the Ages In an election like no other, both sides are aware of what is at stake

A

n election is the ultimate symbol of democracy, but this year, Americans find themselves in a heated ideological battle marked by party lines. Republicans and Democrats are polarized, and the importance of this election for the nation could not be clearer.

Sophomore Ethan Taylor, a supporter of Joe Biden, said America is in a dark spot and Nov. 3 could be a turning point in American history.

“We are in three different crises,” Taylor

said. “An economic crisis, a social crisis with racial awareness coming into fruition and then a health crisis with COVID-19.”

Senior Marin Schwarz, a supporter of Donald Trump, said the United States has strayed away from the Constitution and many political ambitions to resolve these crises are simply unrealistic.

“Do your morals align with what our country was founded on, or do they align with a utopia of what you think America should be?” Schwarz said. “I think that’s where we’re

Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at an event in Houston, Texas.

“Col. Pannell attends VP Biden’s visit to Port of Houston” by USACE HQ

getting a lot of the divisiveness, where we’re pitting races against each other, genders against each other, social classes against each other, and it’s creating divides between people.”

Taylor said the government is out of touch with the common American, and if Washington looks out for everyone, the animosity will lessen.

“I think the main focus in the election, the main question, is who the government works for” Taylor said. “Does it work for the wealthy and well connected and those with influence and money, or does it work for the people?”

Schwarz said the last four years could have gone better, but it was a wake up call for the country to hear something besides the typical political jargon.

“I think that that’s where the chaos comes from and at the same time it’s what America has needed,” Schwarz said. “We’ve all needed a very blunt truth to set the record straight.”

Spanish teacher Tor Fornelli has spent significant time in three countries outside of the United States, and he has seen first hand how much influence the president can have.

“Other countries actually are fairly in tune with American politics because we’re very influential in what happens around the world, and so the face of the United States in a lot of ways … is the president,” Fornelli said.

Fornelli said he believes the divisive nature of today’s politics was created by social media and political news channels.

“People are more divided because, unlike 30 years ago where everyone turns into Walter Cronkite and then the whole country

|9

President Donald Trump speaks at an event in Springfield, Missouri.

“President Donald J. Trump’s visit to Springfield, Missouri” by The White House

is getting a centrist view of what’s going on … now it’s like you’re getting your news all the way from the [left or right],” Fornelli said. “I think that has been really detrimental as far as having people being able to relate to each other and see it from both sides.”

Ultimately, the support for a president is a personal choice, and many young people have already formed strong opinions, especially this year. “[Trump’s] campaign is very much run on, ‘this is the truth and if you’re offended by it then you need to recognize that it’s the truth and it’s not here to be some pretty lie that a politician is just going to spit out to sound nice,’” Schwarz said.

Taylor said he has never been pleased with the Trump administration, and now he is excited for the possibilities that could arise under a Biden presidency.

“Joe Biden can [reunite the nation]. He has a plan that, to be real, doesn’t go as far as I want for healthcare, but it takes us forward,” Taylor said. “It’s about lifting up the middle class; it’s about guaranteeing equal justice under law through social equity, racial equity, equity through gender and equity through sexual orientation or gender identity.”

On the other hand, Schwarz said she doesn’t like Biden’s plans and prefers the political style that Trump brings to the table.

“Joe Biden has been in American government for almost 50 years, and here he is trying to run for president trying to say that he’s going to make a change, and, honestly, I don’t see that happening,” Schwarz said. “If he hasn’t done it already, then it’s probably not

going to happen in the next four years if he gets elected.”

The coronavirus pandemic put a spotlight on politicians, and Fornelli said he thinks people will be motivated to voice their opinion on the handling of the situation this November.

“Our government’s role in people’s daily lives was put under a bigger magnifying glass than it typically is because people had to be aware of what was going on in the government,” Fornelli said. “With all the social stuff going on this summer as well, I think it just kind of magnified it even more.”

Schwarz said she has found a way to focus on the positives, even in these strange times.

“I’m seeing a lot more people who are standing up for what they believe in and saying just outright for everyone to hear, ‘this is my political belief, I believe this is right,’ and I see it on both sides, regardless of if I agree with it or not,” Schwarz said. “I think it’s important that everyone is able to share their opinion.”

Fornelli said he has never been in the country to vote for a president, so this year he voted early by mail to make his voice heard.

“They just sent it to me, filled it out, dropped it off; it’s just super easy and that way I don’t have to worry about if something happens on election day and I’m not able to go,” Fornelli said. “Honestly, it’s just so convenient, so why not?”

Even though Taylor can’t vote yet, he said he is passionate for his beliefs, and he thinks the American people will rebound from this year.

“America is better than this. We are better than the divisive rhetoric coming from the top, and I think how we talk to one another, it starts from the top down,” Taylor said. “We can do better; we can treat people with more respect and dignity.”

No matter what the outcome of the election, people will make their voice heard and Election Day 2020 could go down as one of the most pivotal days in recent memory.

“Whether you like [Trump] or not, you have to say that he’s very boisterous about his ideas, and he has not done things the way they’ve been done before,” Fornelli said.

“Whether you’re excited about that or scared by that, it’s up to you.” | keithansharp

10 | news / the standard / election 2020

STATE

ELECTIONS

140 students surveyed about state and local elections

Have you ever heard of or know the purpose of the State primary elections?

46% said they have heard of State Primary Election but don’t know much about it 11.5% said they haven’t heard of the State Primary Election and don’t know anything about it 0.7% said they have a general understanding of both but are not totally confident.

41.7% said they have heard of and know about the State Primary Election.

“[state elections] are our best representation of what we want as a state... it’s more about consolidating with the general idea of what the state wants rather than just what each individual person in the state wants.” | seniorkatetucker

| 11

Where have you seen/ heard about the state elections?

81.5% said they have seen it on the TV Campaign videos

73.8%

| sophomorevinnysandhu

73.8% said they have seen it on yard signs

61.5% said they have seen it on the news

56.9%

81.5%

“I usually look on the Kansas City Star [for news on state elections]�

61.5%

56.9% said they have seen it online and on websites

| maleenabaha

4.7% of students surveyed said they hear from other sources

Who would you vote to represent Kansas as a US Representative?

Kali Barnett

32.4%

Tracey Mann

30.1% 37.5% said they were unsure

Michelle De La Isla

35.8%

Jacob LaTurner

29.1% 35.1% said they were unsure

Sharice Davids

49.6%

Amanda Adkins

29.9% 20.4% said they were unsure

Lara Lombard

29.4%

Ron Estes

30.9% 39.7% said they were unsure

12 | news / the standard / election 2020

SOUTHWEST

Social studies department offers America Decides course for fifth time

F

rom analyzing the aggressive debates from the screen to having thoughtful conversations in the classroom, America Decides is once again available this presidential election cycle.

Having started in 2000 with the Bush vs. Al Gore election, this class was implemented in the district with the goal of making students become more active participants in the country’s politics.

With the class only being offered one semester every four years, many students sign up, and in turn there are many sections being taught by four social studies teachers: Kathryn Pinto, Dustin Leochner, Brandon Bishop and Laura Williamson.

Pinto has been teaching this class since its inception and additionally was part of the original district team where she was able to collaborate to create the curriculum for the course.

“There’s a lot of topics that you can cover, and it was very hard to embed those into the other courses,” Pinto said. “Having this as an option every four years was thought to be a really positive experience.”

For sophomore Vriti Patel, politics have always been an interest and having the opportunity to earn credit for exploring political views was something she could not pass up.

“Having a class where we can discuss the current events that are going on is something that I would probably engage in,” Patel said.

Patel said she is politically involved and when she became aware of the opportunity to take the course, she couldn’t pass it up.

Freshman Niki Ahmadian looks at live polls in Ms. Williamson’s 7th hour America Decides. Photo by Leah Goldstein.

| 13

DECIDES “I was really excited about the election, because I like talking about such things,” Patel said. “I was thinking about my course selection, and I heard about this class because the election isn’t something that happens every year, so I just heard about it from other teachers and was excited about it.”

For others, America Decides was a class they had known about for an extended period of time and always had plans to take. Senior Harrison Powell was first introduced to the class in his freshman year.

“When I was signing up for classes freshman year, they were talking about it as an option for senior year,” Powell said.

Being interested in politics but not necessarily very involved has put Powell in a position for the opportunity to learn and embrace more regarding both political spectrums.

“I’m interested in politics, but I’m just interested about learning more,” Powell said.

With the election season at its peak, the class has covered a wide range of topics that accommodate everyone’s political interests.

“I’m a big fan of the Electoral College, because it’s understanding how the president is not directly elected, because we’re actually voting for electors who cast those ballots,” Pinto said. “Election night is all about the electoral map. I really like to cover the sea of red and blue on the electoral map; it is very different.”

The dynamic of America Decides is quite different from the typical core classes. Having taught the class for the fifth time now, Pinto said it has changed this year with the circumstances.

“In years past, when you have a full classroom of students, [you] have maybe more opportunities for debate. [This year,] they’re a little less likely to want to openly discuss politically charged topics when there are fewer people in the room,” Pinto said. “So it’s just a little bit of a different dynamic in that sense” For students like Powell, the dynamic is significantly different from core science and math classes regardless of COVID-19 restrictions and circumstances. “[America Decides] is more interactive,” Powell said. “I like the kind of discussion and the availability to share viewpoints.”

With a different dynamic, comes a different kind of election.

With a record breaking 93 million early ballots as of Nov. 1, this election is already making American history, according to NPR. “This election is not only dramatically politicized, but it’s also kind of pandemic produced,” Patel said. “These sorts of things are obviously going to affect not only how the election is actually executed, but how it’s perceived.”

Regardless of political stance, teachers teaching America Decides hope to better prepare the school community to fulfill their civic duty and have awareness of their impact.

“Ultimately, we always hope that we are educating future voters,” Pinto said. “And that students understand how to articulate their own personal political views, and engage in civic dialogue with others who don’t agree with them and hopefully, understand that they are able to impact the political process.”

| saharbaha

In social studies teacher Laura Williamson’s America Decides class, freshman Brent Gillis researches the presidential election. Photo by Leah Goldstein.

14 | news / the standard / election 2020

Politics?

No thanks.

Students share why they are disinterested in politics

| 15

P

olitics have always been a contentious topic, and it can be difficult for adolescents to find their own political views in all of the chaos. Between arguments, name-calling and scandals, some students, like junior Anna Pemble, simply tune out all of the political noise.

“What made me not super into politics was that my parents are just really into it, and I’m just around them and them watching the news a lot … I kind of just stopped listening at one point,” Pemble said.

“There is a lot of controversy on it and I just don’t like getting involved.”

Parent or sibling involvement in politics is a common repellent for students who are not as interested. Sophomore Rhett Krewson said he also feels disengaged compared to his family’s devotion.

“My parents are politically involved, and especially my brother, so I’m kind of the odd one out,” Krewson said.

The controversial topic is not easily agreed on and can cause a lot of unsettling tension within different relationships.

Freshman Alexis Dominic said politics is one of her least favorite topics.

“Right now, it’s just super controversial, and I feel like everybody’s political opinion is like defining relationships, friendships, and it’s probably best to stay out of it,” Dominic said. “They’re making their assumptions about a person based on their political view, and I don’t want to be judged

on my political views, so I’m just going to keep to myself.”

Politics can lead to a tense conversation, especially when there are differing opinions.

Pemble said navigating those conversations can be difficult.

“When other people start talking about it and get very intense in the conversation, that starts to make me uncomfortable because I’m partly uneducated with everything that’s going on,” Pemble said.

“I’m aware of everything, but not enough to make me really into a conversation.”

Despite being uninvolved overall, there are some areas of politics that spark an interest. Krewson said he finds the economy to be the most engaging topic.

“I’m passionate about people in the House or government officials when they talk about making more jobs and helping the economy,” Krewson said. “Any debate or discussion that always comes up, that’s something I look forward [to] or look toward.”

In a world when everything is available with the touch of a button, so many opinions and perspectives are easily accessible. Being aware of bias in different sources may greatly affect one’s perception of politics and issues.

“Nobody really has their original, their own political view. It’s based on what they hear, what they know, what they watch,” Dominic said. “Everything is biased, so

you’re not really able to form your own view on politics.”

Social media continues to increase in teenage lives, and, with that, the platform to share personal opinions increases, as well.

Social media and the political impact that one post can have is reflected in the sheer amount of political posts.

“When people post on social media for one person or the other, or against one person, they really aren’t changing anything. It’s just noise and drama,” Krewson said. “But it’s also them telling people what is happening or what they should be doing as advice.”

Pemble said listening to everyone is the most helpful way to look at different perspectives, but she thinks it’s easier to be open when she doesn’t have a strong opinion.

“I definitely have an open mind to other political views,” Pemble said. “I think every person has a story, and every different view has something to say.”

Krewson said he has formed his own political opinions and has done his best to limit the influence his family has on him.

“I definitely have my own [opinions], and I say it’s a good mixture between both parties,” Krewson said. “I formed mine off of my own interests, and my own needs and wants from our government and my personal life.”

| ericapeterson

16 | opinion / the standard / election 2020

Electoral College losing significance in today’s society, should be abolished

T

he role of the electoral college has been in question for many years, and support for it has dwindled as more and more people have joined in opposition of it. The issue is never more prominent than in election years, especially because the electoral college has the final say in who is elected as president.

The electoral college consists of 538 elected delegates who represent counties and states. These electors cast their vote on behalf of the citizens they represent.

Leochner said, for the most part, they remain loyal to their county.

The founding fathers came up with the idea of the college because they were afraid the common people would be uneducated and would elect someone who was not fit to be president. Hence, they restricted the vote to those who owned property at first.

However, times have evolved and priorities have changed. All states require some sort of high school education.

Additionally, widespread information about anything is simply a touch away. People

Dilema

can quickly be educated on each political candidate and their policies.

Giving it the benefit of the doubt, junior Ben Ziegelman said he understands some situations why the electoral might be needed.

“I understand the purpose of it [because] there’s a lot of voters who might not be fully educated on what they’re voting on [or] voting for fun,” Ziegelman said. “Maybe they don’t even actually know what policies they’re voting for. So I understand that it can be good for those reasons.”

Social studies teacher Dustin Leochner has been teaching America Decides the National Election for the past three elections. He said he personally thinks there needs to be changes within the electoral college if it is continued to be implemented. “[The Electoral College] is largely obsolete and its original purpose can’t really be fulfilled at this point in history,” Leochner said.

Leochner said he doesn’t necessarily support getting rid of the electoral college, but he said it should be adapted to the current political and social structure.

“I would like to see the electoral college function as it does in Nebraska where it’s by congressional district, and whatever candidate wins that congressional district, they get that district’s electoral vote,” Leochner said. “I think that would be how I would change it.”

For there to be productive elections if the electoral college is abolished, states would have to view and implement similar voting in every area. However, this would be difficult because the federal government cannot mandate such actions across the

entire country. Ultimately, it is the state’s choice to decide if they would conform with the new basis of voting. Additionally, the voters should be educated on the pros and cons of each candidate prior to voting.

Most preferably, the information should be displayed on the ballot, similar to California’s method. Even in an age when information is found within a few seconds, it’s difficult to maneuver through the biased articles and information to find the truth.

The continuous use of the electoral college almost undermines an idea of the democracy the United States is portrayed as. Most people have preconceived notions that it’s the people who decide the officials and the president, however this is not the case.

Senior Leah Goldstein said she believes the electoral college is an injustice to the American people.

“I think it’s a little controversial. I don’t think it’s totally fair, just because a candidate could win the popular vote and still lose the election due to them losing the electoral college,” Goldstein said. “And I think a better way would be for them to just count up the percentages of the popular vote, because I think if they use the votes from the Electoral College, it’s kind of contradicting with the idea of democracy.”

This system could discourage voters from voting, especially if their state is not a swing state because, in the end, their vote would not matter if they vote in the minority.

“It’s already population based, and so what that does is it creates a system where like someone in Wyoming’s vote is worth like, five times that of someone in

| 17

California, which I don’t think is a good thing,” Ziegelman said.

Goldstein shares a similar opinion as Ziegelman.

“Bigger states have more votes, smaller states have smaller, less votes,” Goldstein said. “I don’t really think that there’s a way to change it, but I definitely think it should be changed.”

Although the electoral college has the final decision in electing the president, there’s only so much it could do before it pushes people over the edge.

“If an unqualified person were to be elected by the populace, [the electoral college] would step in and make sure that somebody else actually became president,” Leochner said. “I think that’s highly unlikely to happen now because I think you’d have widespread protest on your hands.”

During previous elections, the electoral college has only elected a different candidate to be president who was losing by a small number in the popular vote. The

55

3 4

6

Ziegelman said the Electoral College is in no way beneficial for politics. He said he would like to abolish it and only use the popular vote.

“Even if the Electoral College were to be in line with what I would want, I really think it needs to come down to the popular vote,” Ziegelman said.

The country no longer has use for the current electoral college. The process of voting and electing a president should be rethought to be adapted toward today’s society.

“Under its original intent, I think that’s a wise thing to have to have some sort of emergency kind of trigger, to make sure that we don’t get led astray and elect somebody unqualified to be the president,” Leochner said. “But I think in the modern context, knowing that that is a near impossibility that the electoral college would actually function that way, I don’t know what the argument is in favor of it.” | sirichevuru

4

12 7

most recent ruling in such an instance was during the 2016 presidential election.

In 2016, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, but due to the Electoral College, Republican nominee Donald Trump was elected president. Many people were in shock, regardless of their political stance.

Goldstein, like many others, was confused and surprised by the results.

“I was younger then so I didn’t really understand what was happening. But my mom, my parents were surprised and shocked that that happened,” Goldstein said. “And so I kind of was just surprised by how people thought it was going one way and then went the opposite.”

Leochner said he has observed some good in the system. He said it forces the candidates to campaign in all states equally.

“If you leave it up just solely to a popular vote, then candidates can zero in on the big cities on the urban areas in the population centers and ignore the rest of the country,” Leochner said.

3

10

3

3

6

5

6 11

10

9

6 7

5 38

3 4

16

29

34

20

18 20 11 5 13 8 10 15 11 9 6 6 9 16 8 29

3

11 4 7 14 3 10

Number of electoral votes per state