Students Tune into the Debate

The former president and Vice President held their first debate in Philadelphia.

By: JC Rosa and Angel Silva, staff writers

As the election approaches, the campus has served as a voting center for students, faculty, and community members. This site is one of the most popular voting centers in the Valley. (Emilio Godinez for the Valley Star)

The Democratic and Republican presidential candidates sparred in the first debate Tuesday night, vying for voters for the 2024 presidential election in 54 days.

For Valley students who tuned into the 90-minute debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the debate was the first preview into the visions both candidates have for their potential presidency.

Film and television major Lucas Hobson said that Harris left the podium with the advantage, and said he feels like “America is trying to push Trump away.”

However, the 21 year old said he’s not sure who will earn his vote.  “Both candidates conveyed their messages, but Kamala had a stronger message than Trump,” said Hobson.

“I have no preference,” said Hobson. “Both candidates are going to put us in the mud based on where America is going.”

Biology major Marco Rodriguez, 17, said he is leaning towards Harris because of her policies, but that “neither is the savior we need.”

Kinesiology major Mina Leon, 28, was not enthusiastic about either candidate after learning about what they said. 

“Trump continues to blame immigrants for our problems,” said Leon. “Kamala was offering Band-Aid solutions for serious problems. They both support genocide.”

“I guess I’m leaning more towards Kamala. As a default, not because I love her,” Leon added.

For Margret Zaldana, 18, the choice was more clear-cut.

“What I heard was that Trump was lying and Kamala made her points clear,” said Zaldana. “I’m leaning more towards Kamala because my family is more aligned with the Democratic party.”

Nearly two-thirds of voters (63 percent) said that Harris outperformed Trump, according to a CNN flash poll published Sept. 11. According to the poll, most viewers that saw the debate said it did not  influence who they supported; although,  Trump supporters were more likely to reconsider their support for their candidate than Harris supporters.

In 2020, voters between the ages 18-44 made up 39.7 percent of total voters, with 16.5 percent of total voters between 18-29 and 23.2 percent of total voters 30-44, according to a report published by the US Census Bureau in February 2022.

Over the past few semesters, Valley College has served as a voting center for the surrounding community and its students. According to the LA County Registrar recorder’s office, Valley is one of the most popular voting centers in the county.

The cafeteria will be converted into a voting center, with poll booths replacing dining tables. Students, staff and community members can cast their votes in person from the day the voting center opens until Election Day on Nov. 5.

The full list of voting centers in Los Angeles County will be available at locator.lavote.gov approximately 30-40 days before Election Day.