THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2020 STUDENT MEDIA
Silver Taps
Omari ZaReiq Loydrake 1998 - 2020
Erin Noel Novak June 8, 1995 - Oct. 9, 2020
Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION
Brazos County has 25 different Election Day polling places.
Election Day approaches
Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION
Brazos County’s 2020 early voting numbers have surpassed that of 2016 with 57,216 votes cast as of Oct. 27.
Brazos County prepares polling places for Nov. 3 election turnout By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3 is the last opportunity eligible voters have to cast ballots in the 2020 general election. Brazos County residents can visit any one of the county’s 25 polling locations to vote on Election Day. Many early voting locations will not be in service but will be replaced with larger facilities that can hold more people. The Nov. 3 polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. An identification document, including a voter ID card, valid Texas Driver’s License, ELECTION DAY ON PG. 3
Texas, Brazos County see historic early voter turnout State early voting participation ‘momentous,’ with over 8 million people casting ballots before Election Day By Julia Potts @juliaapotts
T
he Texas polls have seen millions of early voters in person and by mail with the 2020 Election Day less than a week away. Since the start of the early voting period on Oct. 13, 8,149,296 Texans have voted as of Oct. 27, accounting for 48.1 percent of
all registered voters in the state, according to The Texas Tribune, 5.3 percent of which were mail-in votes. To compare, 2020’s early voting percentage as of Oct. 27 is 11.3 percent higher than 2012’s two-week early voting period and 4.6 percent higher than the 2016 early voting period. With 48.1 percent of all registered voters in Texas having cast a ballot as of Oct. 27, all early voting records have been surpassed, even with days to go in the extended early voting period. According to The Guardian, while concerns for COVID-19 are still present, the number of votes cast so far is momentous. “In a tidal wave of political engagement, more than 7 million Texans have already cast a ballot during the general election, the vast majority in-person,” the article reads.
“The numbers are propelling what is historically one of the lowest voter turnout states to the top of the nation’s leaderboard in terms of the sheer number of people who have voted thus far.” In the same article, Texas A&M associate professor of political science Brittany Perry said she visited more than one polling place until she cast her ballot, and it was the first time she had to wait in line to vote. “It is really quite something that people are turning out in the numbers that they are and that they’re standing in line for hours when this is early voting,” Perry told The Guardian. “This is not Election Day, and many Texans have never done that before because it is such a low voter turnout state.” EARLY VOTING ON PG. 3
A look at Gen Z voting demographics Creative Commons
If elected, Kamala Harris will be the first female, Black and South Asian vice president.
2020 ballot most diverse in US history Hundreds of candidates from various minority groups are on ballot this year
Kaylee Cogbill — THE BATTALION
By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher
The Generation Z voting demographic is the most racially and ethnically diverse group when compared to older generations.
Now more than ever, candidates are breaking the traditional mold in terms of who is represented in governmental positions of power. The percentage of minority groups in government positions does not reflect the percentage of minorities in the country. Women, as well as racial and ethnic minorities, make up more than half of the country’s population, but are underrepresented among the nation’s leaders. The current Congress is more diverse than ever, but is still lacking in appropriate
People aged 18-23 will comprise 10 percent of America’s 2020 electorate
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By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher As the 2020 election approaches, the Generation Z vote will have a significant influence, as this age group will make up 10 percent of all eligible voters this fall. Gen Z voters range from 18-23 years old and are estimated to be about 23 million in number within the U.S. according to the
World Economic Forum. Out of these 23 million, about 13-15 million are new voters. Gen Z stands out due to its comparatively diverse population with 55 percent of voters identifying as white, 22 percent as Hispanic, 14 percent as Black, 5 percent as Asian and 5 percent as more than one race. Professor in the Department of Communication and the Public Policy Research Institute Kirby Goidel credits social media for the enthusiasm of the new generation of voters. “Social media will connect people with networks of like-minded individuals,” Goidel said. “It can help mobilize, and it
can be a platform for sharing information with friends and family. On a negative note, it will continue to spread misinformation.” Goidel said Gen Z is more tolerant, educated and open to new ideas than older generations. She said she is optimistic about the potential of this generation, but acknowledges the hardships they will encounter. “This generation will also face unique challenges because my generation is leaving it with less economic security, looming environmental crises from climate change and government debt,” Goidel said. “Like it or not, Gen Z will have to engage as citizens and create not just better lives for themselves but stronger, more resilient communities.” Wildlife and fisheries sciences sophomore Beatriz Gil said she believes Gen Z is different from other generations because of the changes that have been made during their lifetimes. “Being raised in the 2000s, we have seen a great shift in politics, human rights and racism to a point where there is a great intolerance for those who discriminate,” Gil said. “This has brought us to use our voices greatly, which is something that most generations didn’t see at such a young age.” Goidel said politics is highly important to older voters because they tend to receive more benefits from the government, so it is inherent for young people to make their voices heard. “If Gen Z votes at a higher rate, policy will better reflect their interests and
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GEN Z VOTERS ON PG. 3