EMMA PIRHALA / NEWS EDITOR

As of publication, Election Day is just twelve days away. While Americans, and even those across the globe, await the much anticipated results of the presidential race, a phenomenon called “election anxiety” is affecting the bulk of adults in the United States. A recent survey conducted by Forbes Health and Talker Research showed that 61% of respondents reported a negative impact on mental health related to the pending election. The study concluded that Gen Z is the most affected age group in the survey, with 66% reporting feelings of anxiety, fear or stress. 

USD second-year Alecia Doak explained how the election is impacting her. 

“I am a political science major, so [the election] is essentially all I talk and think about. I do have some anxiety,” Doak said. 

“I would say, I do think a lot about [the election] because that’s all we talk about. But at the same time, I’d say I am a little anxious … I don’t think it’ll be the end of the world if one or the other wins, but I do think that life could change a lot, depending on who wins. So, yeah, I’m a little nervous.”

As a university with a majority Gen Z  undergraduate population, many USD students have the option to vote in a presidential election for the first time. This pressure is impacting students who are learning to be politically active. 

USD first-year Sydney Pullman is voting for the first time this year. She shared that she is experiencing some anxiety deciding who will get her vote.

“It is my first time voting because I just turned 18, like six months ago, and it is a little nerve racking just because I don’t feel like I know everything,” Pullman shared. “I just feel like there’s a lot of different information out there that I haven’t read. And there’s also information out there that isn’t true. I just feel like this election is kind of a strange election. Just with the two different parties being different from one another. And how [Kamala Harris] has been brought up and then also how [Donald Trump] has already been elected before and he’s also been impeached. I feel like it’s just a very interesting election.”

With the holiday season arriving soon, Gen Z also described feeling anxious about seeing family and friends with politics in the air. The Forbes survey explained that 60% of Gen Z shares these sentiments. In just over a month, many  Toreros will be traveling home for Thanksgiving Break. But, the political ideologies of more outspoken family members discourages some students from sharing their political beliefs at the dinner table, and even with friends. 

USD junior Daniel Armendariz explained his view on the importance of keeping politics out of Thanksgiving.

“My immediate family, we don’t really talk about politics that much,” Armendariz shared. 

“I mean, I did grow up with some of their background on politics. But we’ve never struggled, even though we have some differences. I do wanna say that my extended family has people on both sides. Sometimes there’s some conflict. And you know, that’s a dangerous thing. I think that that’s something that needs to change and that’s something that just needs to not be an issue. I think that it’s Thanksgiving, and it’s a moment to share with family.”

With the outcomes of the election looming on student voters, the University is working to provide opportunities for politically active Toreros such as the Civil Discourse Ambassadors program and the USD Votes campaign which promotes voting amongst students. 

USD Votes hosted an event with pets of professors to destress and get students registered to vote. Shannen Swars/The USD Vista

The Civil Discourse Ambassador program is new to USD this year. The program aims to encourage civil discussion regarding the election in today’s tense political environment. 

USD sophomore Leilani Youmans decided to join the program and serve as a Civil Discourse Ambassador this year. As a politically active student, Youmans expressed that she has been experiencing election anxiety. 

“I’ve been thinking about the election a lot and my worries about it have increased as we get closer to Nov. 5,” Youmans shared. “I personally believe our top priority as a nation should be to address the conflict happening in the Middle East and to stop the violence. Whoever America picks as our next president is going to affect international relations immensely, especially relations in the Middle East, so I really hope we pick a president who advocates for peace and cooperation over continued violence.”

Despite her anxiety regarding the impact the election will have on crucial topics, Youmans decided to funnel this energy into the Civil Discourse Program. She explained how the program has helped her to understand different perspectives.

“The Civil Discourse program at USD has really opened my mind to other perspectives that may be different from mine,” Youmans detailed. “What’s so cool about this program is that it gives students the resources and tools they need in order to listen to one another effectively, but also to make the best decisions for themselves. We’re really a group that is working to educate students that it’s okay to disagree, but there’s a right way and a wrong way to go about disagreements. We’re trying to move towards a climate at USD where we can talk about politics without the conversations ending up in conflict.”

Student voters will soon flock to the polls to share their voices in the upcoming election. If you or a friend are having trouble coping with the upcoming election, please reach out to the Counseling Center to schedule an appointment or speak with an on-call counselor at 619-260-4655.

Students involved in USD Votes hand out donuts and stickers. Shannen Swars/The USD Vista