Many NKU students will be casting their first presidential ballots Tuesday. The Northerner did an anonymous survey asking new voters why they are going to the polls.

The main issue NKU students are focused on when casting their ballots is reproductive rights for women and the overall civil rights for people:

“I need my rights as a queer person to be protected and the rights of women’s and others,” one respondent said.

Another said, “I want to vote for a candidate who agrees that I should have control over my own body!!” 

Yet another respondent said, “My rights as a women are at stake.”

Answers from the poll varied from wanting better economics and national security to wanting to see the country thrive as a whole. 

One NKU student said they are casting their vote because “illegal migrants and non tax payers taking advantage of government benefits.”

Other reasons cited for voting included “economic and national security concerns, competency of leadership,” “to protect my rights as a woman in the LGBTQIA+ community” and “because women fought for my right to vote.”

One student said, “my rights are on the line,” while another said, “I want to see our country thrive and prosper.”

Whichever party citizens cast their ballot for, it is important to vote. Voting gives citizens a direct voice in shaping the laws and leaders that impact their daily lives. It is a way to advocate for issues that matter to each person and ensure the government reflects the needs of the people. Voting is a fundamental part of a healthy democracy.

Polls close in Kentucky and Indiana at 6 p.m. for the counties in Eastern Standard Time. For Ohio, polls closes at 7:30 p.m.

The Northerner will be providing live reports of the election on Nov. 5 on thenortherner.com and @northernermedia on Instagram and X.