New Hampshire Together: UNH Students Share Why They Are Excited To Vote For Hillary Clinton
By: Hillary For Nh
Tags: Hillary Clinton, College, Voting, Volunteering, 2016 Election

New Hampshire is always a closely contested state, but this crucial election in particular could be decided by a small number of votes in the Granite State. UNH students play a vital role in winning this state for Hillary Clinton and Democrats down the ticket.

The UNH students below wanted to tell their stories explaining why they are excited to cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 8, for Hillary Clinton and Democrats up and down the ticket in New Hampshire. Are you a UNH student who wants to help make history? Text UNH to 47246 for ways to get involved.

Ben

By the time he entered third grade, Ben could list all of the U.S. presidents in order. The more that he read, the more he realized that history has a habit of repeating itself. For Ben, this election — and the prevalence of third party candidates — is reminiscent of both the 1912 and 2000 elections.

“The 1912 presidential election was fought among three major candidates. The split in the Republican party all but guaranteed Woodrow Wilson’s win.” Ben shared that former Republican President Theodore Roosevelt ran as a third party candidate, which divided support for William Howard Taft, the incumbent Republican president running for re-election.

Ben volunteering on campus with the help of Governor Martin O’Malley

Watching this election cycle, Ben also thinks back to the 2000 election, which was similarly affected by third party candidate Ralph Nader. “New Hampshire could have decided that election,” Ben said, making Florida completely moot.

“My biggest take-away from these examples is that voters are the ones who write history by deciding which candidate makes it into the White House,” Ben said. “Especially in an election cycle like this one, and especially in a state like New Hampshire, voting for third party candidates could guarantee the person with whom you most viscerally disagree becomes president.” Ben takes the long view and knows that either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be the next president and it is vital to cast your vote between these two to impact the outcome.

This year, Ben is excited to finally be able to participate in the process of electing a president, and cast his very first vote for Hillary Clinton. “UNH students can and will have such a large impact on the outcome of this historic election, ” he said. “How could any student not want to be a part of this?”

Hannah

On November 8, voters will have the chance to help break through the highest and hardest glass ceiling in the country. Hannah, a UNH freshman and avid feminist, is excited to cast her vote to make Hillary Clinton the first female president. “I was raised to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to,” says Hannah. “Not everyone is so lucky. I know that having a woman president would be an incredible symbol to our society that women are and can be very successful leaders.”

Hannah is focused on talking to fellow UNH students about the values and issues that divide Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in this election. “When I talk to my classmates on campus, I ask them about the issues: Do you believe in marriage equality? Climate change? A woman’s right to choose? More often than not,” says Hannah, “people realize that their values align with Hillary Clinton’s.”

Hannah also feels strongly about the importance of voting for someone who is an ally for both the gay community & Black Lives Matter. “We have an incredibly important choice to make regarding our country’s values,” she said. “Do we want a leader who values everyone and fights for progressive causes or a leader who denigrates people every chance he gets? It is important that we all reject the candidate who uses their racism, homophobia, sexism and cruelty to bring out the worst aspects of the electorate.” On November 8, Hannah is excited to vote for Hillary Clinton to continue progressive (and feminist) leadership in the White House.

Are you a UNH student with questions about voting? We’ve got you covered! Start here.

Elias

Meeting Hillary Clinton at a local fair at the age of 10 was a formative experience that sparked Elias’s fascination with politics. Now a freshman political science major at UNH, he was very active during the primaries, volunteering multiple times per week with the Bernie Sanders campaign. “Bernie was my top choice in the primary, but I am really proud to be voting for Hillary. Hillary and Bernie share so much more in common than divides them,” Elias says.

Elias is especially focused on matters of international affairs, recognizing that the world is increasingly interconnected and complex. Elias’ perspective is informed by work he has done with refugees at a non-profit organization based in Concord. “People across the globe are directly impacted by the policy decisions made by leaders here in America,” says Elias. “In the modern era of politics, no candidate has had as much international affairs experience as Hillary Clinton.”

As Secretary of State, Hillary visited 112 countries, established relationships with dozens of leaders across the world and developed a deep understanding of the complicated issues of international relations. Elias says, “Secretary Clinton values the elements that are necessary in healthy democratic societies: respect for the rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and acceptance of election results. Whereas Donald Trump admires leaders like Putin, threatens the press, discriminates against Muslims, and flaunts that he will only accept the presidential election results if he wins.”

This will be the first election that Elias is eligible to vote in, and he says, “voting is one of the most important things you can do as a citizen.” Voting in New Hampshire is easy with same day registration; plus, UNH students that live in the state are eligible to vote here. The polling place for students that live at UNH is in Durham and there will be busses going from the MUB to the polling place and back throughout Election Day, Tuesday, November 8.

Kai

September 11, 2001 is a day that altered the course of history, especially for the current generation of college students who came of age in the post-9/11 era. The day had a very personal impact on UNH sophomore Kai, because his beloved Uncle Greg worked on the 103rd floor of the North Tower. “I lost my uncle that day,” says Kai, “and it is my memory of him that inspires me to be politically active.”

Kai volunteering at this year’s U-Day

The years after 9/11 were filled with war, and Kai feels that his uncle wouldn’t approve of the path we’ve taken. “He was a peaceful man, supportive of social justice issues — he would not have wanted this to be the path for America and the world.” Kai was motivated by the anti-war rhetoric from Bernie Sanders, and he got involved in the primary, ultimately serving as the UNH Data Coordinator for the Bernie campaign.

Now in the general election, Kai is enthusiastically supporting Clinton, and he says the threat of Trump’s leadership frightens him. “Trump’s aggressive and bombastic nature combined with a thin-skinned ego are exactly the qualities that the Commander in Chief should not have,” Kai says. “Leading the most powerful military in the world requires sound judgment, deep knowledge of international affairs and a restrained approach to using our military might.”

Kai has seen firsthand the powerful impact that UNH students can have on elections. Democracies don’t work unless citizens actively participate. Kai is working in politics inspired by the memory of his uncle and he hopes to help inspire UNH students to vote on Election Day and help to steer our country towards responsible leadership in the world.