Peers politically polarized

Political discord will trigger major divisions on campus, students, politicos fear.

According+to+a+Wolfs+Print+poll%2C+About+31+percent+of+students+identified+themselves+as+democrats%2C+with+26+percent+identifying+themselves+independents%2C+and+6.4+percent+as+republicans.+More+than+26+percent+of+DM+students+said+they%E2%80%99d+%E2%80%9Crather+not+say%E2%80%9D%2C+according+to+the+poll--leading+to+concerns+that+political+polarization+may+cause+division+on+campus.+%E2%80%9CLots+of+division%2C+arguments+will+most+likely+take+place%2C%E2%80%9D+said+senior+Julian+Kimble%2C+one+of+many+students+who+responded+to+the+question%3A+%E2%80%9CHow+do+you+think+the+election+will+impact+the+DM+community%3F%E2%80%9D

Photo illustration by Danielle Brown

According to a Wolf’s Print poll, About 31 percent of students identified themselves as democrats, with 26 percent identifying themselves independents, and 6.4 percent as republicans. More than 26 percent of DM students said they’d “rather not say”, according to the poll–leading to concerns that political polarization may cause division on campus. “Lots of division, arguments will most likely take place,” said senior Julian Kimble, one of many students who responded to the question: “How do you think the election will impact the DM community?”

Danielle Brown, Reporter

Abortion rights. Climate change. Educational improvements.

Yes, high schoolers have a lot on our plates–between school work, athletics, and extracurriculars. But we’re not blind to the issues in our society, country, and world.

A recent Wolf’s Print poll of 157 Desert Mountain students showed that students are concerned about many of the same issues as adults. So there’s no longer much mystery surrounding why adults or older teens, who are eligible to vote, are braving the long lines at the polls, standing in line for hours like it’s Space Mountain at Disneyland.

But polarization is as concerning to students as the issues, students said.

“Lots of division, arguments will most likely take place,” said senior Julian Kimble, one of many students who responded to the question: “How do you think the election will impact the DM community?”

The most detrimental factors to students choosing to vote is the distrust and misinformation by the media.

— Cesar Aguilar, executive director of the Arizona Students' Association

About 31 percent of students identified themselves as democrats, with 26 percent identifying themselves independents, and 6.4 percent as republicans.
More than 26 percent of DM students said they’d “rather not say”, according to the poll.

This is why many students are saying the behaviors of the students in reaction to the election may be more impactful to the DM community than the issues.
“It could cause division between primary issues like the Second Amendment and abortion rights,” said freshman Gabriella Jackson, “because those two are arguably the most divided in terms of political parties.”

Considering the issues that most concerned DM students, the divisions might be inevitable. According to the survey, in which students were able to choose more than one issue:

  • Abortion rights (more than 70 percent)
  • Climate change (about 60 percent)
  • Educational improvements (about 55 percent)
  • Second Amendment rights / gun laws (45 percent)
  • Gender / sexual orientation inequality (41 percent)
  • Crime reduction (24 percent)
  • Illegal immigration (24 percent)

“The most detrimental factors to students choosing to vote is the distrust and misinformation by the media,” said Cesar Aguilar, the Executive Director of Arizona Students’ Association.

The new legislative bill HB2492 beginning next year is another of Aguilar’s major concerns, because the bill will make it more difficult for students to register to vote as they are requiring proof of citizenship.