What’s at Stake for Santa Clara Students This Election

Photo provided by The Associated Press. Combination photo shows Republican candidate Donald Trump, left, at a rally in New York on Oct. 27, 2024, and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, right, at an event in Washington on Oct. 29, 2024.

Challenges to immigrant rights, political ethicality and a positive electoral culture are the major issues on which Santa Clara students are voting on in the 2024 presidential election. With just one day left to cast a ballot, emotions are heightened.

“I’d say generally I’m fearful,” said Jacklyn Alonzo Heredia, the Community Outreach Director for the University’s Undocumented Student and Allies Association, who has been following the election closely. “The risk of regression on protections for immigrants, threats to basic rights abroad and an overall increase in hostility toward marginalized groups make this election feel high-stakes and deeply unsettling.” 

Immigration reform is especially important to her, as she said, “I want policies that protect immigrant rights and create pathways to citizenship, not harsher restrictions or increased deportations.” 

Heredia believes this election’s outcome will affect both U.S. domestic policy and its stance abroad. 

“Responsible foreign engagement means not only protecting human rights abroad but also considering how U.S. actions impact migration patterns and contribute to global crises,” she said.

Tay Grett, Associated Student Government’s At-Large Senator for Health & Wellness, shared both hope and apprehension about the possible outcomes of the election, pointing to a range of issues they feel need immediate attention. 

“My top concerns are LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive rights, rights and equalities for people of color and immigrants, climate justice, the healthcare system, ending the genocide of Palestinians and justice for survivors of sexual violence,” they said. 

Grett also highlighted the potential significance of Kamala Harris becoming the first female president. 

“I am immensely proud to have a vice president who identifies as a woman, and I will be even more proud for her to be president,” they said, stressing that genuine representation must be matched with policy changes that support marginalized communities.

The candidates’ ethical records are a significant concern for Samuel Cao, junior majoring in History, English and Religious Studies. 

“The most prominent issue I am concerned about in this presidency is ethics,” he said. “The history of both candidates does not speak to a president that I can openly say has ethical verdicts or prospects.” 

Cao explained that, while he’s cautious about the current candidates, he hopes a female presidency would reflect “stronger strides towards gender equality.” 

He also envisions a future with a more diversified political system, hoping “for a more pluralized and diverse political system,” to break away from the conventional two-party structure.

Recent events in the election cycle, including health concerns for President Joe Biden and an assassination attempt on Donald Trump, have only heightened the atmosphere of uncertainty for some students. 

“This has definitely been a strange election for some part,” said Nishant Katragadda, a first year international student from India. “I do think regardless of who wins the election there will be protests of some scale.” 

In a New York Times article, students from colleges across the country cited climate change, reproductive rights and immigration as issues they want prioritized. Santa Clara students emphasize that they want leaders to focus on policies that will address their most urgent concerns. 

As Grett summed it up, “We’re living in a time where our future feels uncertain, and we’re relying on leaders to stand up for what matters.”