Most of the Stetson students supporting Hillary Clinton cited their desire to see progressive change enacted by the next administration as their reason to vote for her. Combating climate change, ending racial and economic inequalities and expanding healthcare coverage were at the forefront of many Clinton supporters’ minds.
Generally, a belief in social justice guided voters towards Clinton. One student said the most important issue for the next president is “women’s rights, people of color’s rights, people with disabilities’ rights. Minority rights.” Another wrote, “Universal human rights.” One of the more well-formed desires came from a student who stated that they hope the next president “confronts all forms of bigotry through dialogue, policy and economic opportunities.”
Students also answered the question with phrases related to social justice including “social rights,” “representation of minorities,” “women’s rights in general,” “expand LGBT rights,” “disadvantaged people having a better life,” “civil injustice,” and “equality.”
Education also drove many students towards Clinton. Several students desire “education reform,” even at the kindergarten through high school levels. One student hopes the next president provides “equal educational opportunities for all.” The rising costs of college came up as well, as students seek a president who will bring about “less expensive college” and do something to deal with student debt. While Clinton’s “debt-free” college plan would not affect private institutions such as Stetson, some Hatters remain moved enough by her idea to cast their ballots for her.
Some students hope that the candidate they would make the first female president would help affect the material lives of women. In addition to the aforementioned voters who described women’s rights as their top priority, respondents noted “closing the wage gap” and “equal pay for equal work” as important causes.
More than a third of Clinton’s supporters polled are voting for her to stop another candidate. Remarkably, only 4 of these students directly cited stopping Trump, the other major party nominee, from reaching the presidency as their most important issue. One Clinton voting student wrote that they are “afraid of the silent majority voting for Trump, an unqualified candidate with absolutely zero political experience.” A separate student put the cause more bluntly: “Trump is trash so we can’t let him win.”