By james art 
The importance of the student vote in this year’s election cannot be overstated. With so many issues directly affecting their lives—from student loans and education policies to economic job opportunities—students have a unique perspective that shapes the future. Participating in the electoral process gives them the opportunity to voice their concerns and advocate for the changes they want to see.
Hot issues have already made headlines locally, including the recent decision by the University of Nevada, Reno’s women’s volleyball team not to play San Jose State because of a transgender athlete on that team.
Several events and speakers have descended on campus in recent weeks to encourage students to vote — for their country.
One featured the prominent right-wing talking head, Charlie Kirk, and his team at Turning Point USA.
“If you are from California, please DO NOT register in California. You do that here in Nevada,” Kirk said, handing out MAGA hats. Nevada is a swing state and Charlie and his team are hoping to turn the state red after electing Joe Biden in 2020.
But who can vote in Nevada attending UNR? Students can vote in Nevada as long as they are residents of the state at least 30 days before the election, are 18 years of age, and are US citizens. Students must also have permanent residency in the state and not intend to vote in their home state.
Author Kyle Spencer also visited the UNR campus on the same day as Charlie Kirk. Spencer is known for her reporting on far-right groups targeting American college students to form a conservative youth movement. She spent a year with Charlie and his team at Turning Point, learning how these groups use social media, extreme travel and conservative celebrities to attract young people. In 2022, she published the book Raising Them Right: The Untold Story of America’s Ultraconservative Youth Movement—And Its Conspiracy for Power.
“Watching them together [Kirk and Turning Point USA partner Candance Owens]I noted that, like Trump, they shared the gift of using cultural cues and fame, and clearly understood that it’s not so much issues that grab voters and connect them to candidates, but emotions. They also had youth on their side, exuding a kind of camera-ready kinetic energy rare for two people who hadn’t taken acting classes in college, and even rarer among young politicians who claimed to cares more about budget deficits than Beyoncé,” the book read.
As Election Day approaches, students realize the impact of their votes. Events featuring speakers such as Charlie Kirk and author Kyle Spencer provide platforms for students to express their views and engage with the political process.
Encouraging participation in elections fosters a habit of civic engagement that can last a lifetime, making it critical for students to make their voices heard this election season.
