As election day arrives, many UCF students are experiencing the voting process and understanding its significance. For many students, the midterm election represents their first opportunity to participate in a congressional election, which will play a helping hand in shaping their futures.
Throughout the fall, UCF has hosted various Florida candidates.
UCF’s Turning Point USA chapter hosted a campaign stop for Congressman Byron Donalds, where he opened the floor for students to ask questions directly. During this time, Knight News was given the chance to ask Donalds about the Immigration and Customs Enforcement 287 (g) agreement, in response to the ongoing protests. Fellow students debated a variety of topics, including Congressman Donalds’s advocacy for concealed carry in universities.
Following Donalds’s visit, U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon made several trips to UCF. Including multiple Town Hall events on campus, featuring U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, Rep. Ro Khanna, Rep. Maxwell Frost, and Rep. Anna Eskamani. During these events, Nixon also allowed students to speak with her and ask questions. As well as the “March to the Polls” event on October 28th, where Nixon personally walked with UCF students to the polls to vote.
Hands-on efforts at the University continued up until the final night before the election. Knight News was able to attend the November 2nd rally after the Town Hall meeting, where Angie Nixon and colleagues–Parkland shooting survivor and gun activist David Hogg, and Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks–met with Anna Eskamani to encourage students to vote for both Nixon and UCF’s very own lecturer and House District 37 candidate, Dr. Jane Aman, alongside House District 35 candidate Eric Gray.
In addition to being a full-time Lecturer in the Department of English at UCF, Dr. Jane Aman plans to take her role as a “motivated leader” to Tallahassee with the goal of “flipping a seat” in the House of Representatives.
If Dr. Aman wins, UCF could have its own representative advocating for students on and off campus.
Knight News reached out to Representative Anna Eskamani for advice for university students who are hesitant to vote.
“Every issue that impacts your life and future are on the ballot right now—and if every student voted, we could change the complete trajectory of our state,” said Eskamani. “Not voting is also you giving away your power, versus building it together. As a UCF graduate myself, I know the positive impact we can have on our quality of life if we all ‘charge on’ the polls, so let’s get it done!”
The involvement of candidates and community leaders throughout the semester has brought political conversations directly to UCF’s campus. For students voting for the first time, the election offers an opportunity to have a voice in decisions that will shape their future. With young voters making up an important part of the electorate, their participation will continue to play a role in shaping Florida’s political landscape.
