By james art 
Voters associated with the University of Nevada, Reno were among the crowds at an Oct. 31 rally for Kamala Harris, the current vice president and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate.
Current students, alumni and even some high school students who cannot vote in this election gathered at the Reno Events Center for Harris’ speech. These young supporters told the Wormwood in Nevada that their voting plans are tied to issues that often make headlines this election season, including abortion, health care, immigration and the war in Gaza.
Stevie Applewhite, who majored in ecology and wildlife conservation at the university, arrived at the Reno Events Center wearing a keffiyeh, a Palestinian garment often associated with pro-Palestinian protests. They said “addressing genocide” was their biggest task in the campaign.
“I realize it’s a complicated issue,” Applewhite said, “But I hope they’re at least willing to abide by international law.”
Applewhite added that they believe this is a big reason why some are still withholding their vote. Still, they explained that they were motivated to vote for Harris because of what her presidency would mean for health care — especially for Americans with elderly parents.
“My people are in the retirement zone,” Applewhite said. Despite family support, Applewhite added, “I work for a living and it’s getting harder and harder to get support.”
Jasmine Lara and Mariana Arreola, current students at the university, are enthusiastic Harris voters for their first election. Both said abortion was one of the top issues at stake this year.
“Especially here in Nevada,” Lara said. Of other candidates like Sam Brown, who is running as a Republican for the Senate, she added, “They’re trying to get away with it.”
Lara added that she believes Nevada has recently served as a haven for those who need abortions but can’t get them in their home states.
Arreola also cited abortion as a major issue and added that she is concerned about welfare programs as well as the difficulties immigrants face in obtaining citizenship. She told the Wormwood in Nevada that voting in this election – or not voting – is a decision that affects everyone.
“I don’t understand how this race is so close, it’s crazy,” Lara added.
But the new voters aren’t just American-born citizens of legal age. Lawrence, a political science major at the university who asked not to share his last name, said he will finally be able to vote this year because he is now a naturalized citizen.
“It’s something sacred and I think I should be involved,” Lawrence said. “Honestly, I’m voting for her because of basic human rights. Gay rights, women’s rights.
Carson High School in Carson City also had students at the rally with one of the school’s state teachers.
Paulina Roque and Lindsey Krizenbeck, students at Carson High, said they are not eligible to vote in the general election until 2026, but still feel it is important to be informed.
Krizenbeck said abortion is important to her, as is access to other forms of reproductive health care such as in vitro fertilization, or IVF, which she said her parents almost relied on to have children. However, Roque said character will be a key factor motivating her to vote.
However, one thing Harris’ campaign needs more emphasis on, according to Krizenbeck.
“Guns control,” Kriesenbeck said. “I would have preferred her to take a firmer stance.” We see a lot of shootings and a lot of gun violence in our communities, and that’s really important.”
You can contact Peregrine Hart by email at [email protected] or on Instagram @pintofperegrine.