SAN DIEGO — Voting for the first time in a presidential election is weighing on the minds of young students who attend Southwestern College.
Like many of her classmates, 19-year-old Natalia Ochoa came to a special lecture explaining the electoral college.
“We’ve gotten the pamphlets mailed to us and everything. I’ve been going through them and reading them to see who I’m going to vote for, because it is going to be a big year,” Ochoa said.
She said among her age group, she’s seen passion and apathy when it comes to casting votes.
“I feel like there’s a lot of people who are very invested in it and they do a lot of research on it because they want to be informed, and then there’s the other half that don’t really care about it. They’re just like ‘well I’m not voting, so who cares,’” she said.
Nineteen-year-old Caroline Rodriguez isn’t entirely sure she wants to vote in this election, but she wanted to learn more about the voting process before she decides.
“I’m feeling really conflicted,” she said. “There’s a lot of different opinions. Everywhere I go, I hear so many different opinions, even at my house.”
Joshua Gatbonton is an 18-year-old student who said he will make sure to cast his vote, but right now he doesn’t have much hope that his future will get easier.
“How I’m seeing it is that we’re not really feeling any effects from the government. Cost of living, seeing prices go up and really the government not really doing anything for like price gouging, kind of depressing for us as first-time buyers of many things,” he said.
Phil Saenz is a professor of political science at Southwestern College and has made it his mission to educate students.
“The electoral college is something that most people don’t quite understand and we’re having a very important election that probably is going to change not only the country but perhaps the world,” he said.
Only about 10 miles away from the United States-Mexico border, he said Southwestern College is a Hispanic-serving institution. San Diego County is home to more than 470,000 eligible Latino voters, including more than 150,000 young Latinos ages 18 to 24.
Saenz hosted a watch party for the presidential debate, and the college has partnered with organizations such as the Chicano Federation to mobilize communities to get out and vote. He hopes their efforts are enough to inspire first-time voters to use their voice.
“People are discouraged from voting, but they have to understand their vote does count. Their vote does count because it determines what electors are going to vote for the state of California,” Saenz said. “That’s my ultimate goal, an increase in informed voter turnout.”
The Chicano Federation has been mobilizing a voter engagement campaign to ensure every voice is heard in this upcoming election.
“As a committed community advocate, Chicano Federation emphasizes the importance of making our voices heard in this crucial election,” Liz Ramírez, Chicano Federation CEO, said. “It’s essential that voters prepare a plan to cast their ballots. Whether voting early, locating your polling place, or staying informed about the candidates and propositions, Chicano Federation is here to help. Voting is not just a right — it’s a way to make a difference for yourself, your family, and your community. Get out and vote!”
Ramírez said voters looking for guidance can visit www.mivozmivoto.org or call 619-685-5600 for assistance.
Ochoa said even though she doesn’t know exactly who she’s voting for yet, she will definitely use a mail-in ballot to make her choices for her first election.
“It makes me feel a little more grown up, I guess,” she said. “Voting for the country; who’s going to be our president and also not only that but state and locally who’s going to be in office and who’s going to be making changes to our communities.”
According to U.S. Census data from 2020, Latinos comprise 34% of San Diego County’s 3.3 million residents.