Cal Poly freshmen navigate Election Day

In the midst of the 2024 election, Cal Poly students are going through the waves of responsibility, stress and pride as many of them cast their ballots as first-time voters.

While they navigate through the voting process, students feel a responsibility to educate themselves on not only the candidates but the system as well. 

First-time voter and Cal Poly freshman business administration student, Solomon Perera, dropped off his ballot on campus, reflecting on the sense of responsibility that came with his vote. He said he took steps to educate himself further as he filled out his ballot, which allowed him to learn more about local, state and national candidates.

“I felt important because now I can vote,” he said. 

Out-of-state students face a particular battle as they figure out how to vote by mail for their home states.

Jackson Miller, a freshman graphic communications major, is an out-of-state student at Cal Poly and a first-time voter who found the process of sending in an absentee ballot to be rather stressful.  

 “I felt pretty good after I mailed my ballot,” he said. “I live in North Carolina, a swing state, so my vote really matters.”

Students throughout Cal Poly’s freshman residential dorms expressed their sense of duty over casting their vote both on and off campus, educating themselves and learning as they did.