For many in this country, the ability to vote is a right that is held dear. With more "first time" voters this year as well as the regular established voters, many in both categories feel exhausted. The political science term known as voter fatigue, is described as when an individual begins to feel disengaged, possibly annoyed with continuous objectives or even that their vote or voice doesn’t matter in their own eyes.
The Pew Research Center published an article, which found research that 62% of Americans had felt worn out by the high volume of coverage for the 2024 election. Many Americans were left personally feeling exhausted with all of the different avenues that candidates have tried to reach voters, especially in the final two weeks that lead up to Election Day.
Senior Isa Lewis, an allied health major has voiced this same annoyance of being over-exposed to campaign messages and constant political exposure.
“I’ve become more reluctant to watch television or get on a lot of social media because of the constant political ads. I find the malicious intent of many of the ads to cause more of a divide in our country, which is exhausting and stressful," Lewis said.
This election cycle has been a popular one from a historical context; most elections that include a presidential race on the ballot are. However this included the former 45th President of the United States in Donald J. Trump, against the sitting Vice President Kamala Harris, which made it all the more interesting.
According to PBS Wisconsin, different voters from across the spectrum voiced concerns months before the final push about the divisiveness that politics have come to as well as the lack of cooperation amongst parties.
Sophomore Vincent Berardi, a psychology major, felt that this cycle has left a sort of division amongst everyday Americans.
“I think each party has been attacking each other, which has normalized blind hatred between each party and isn't beneficial for the camaraderie and unity of American citizens," Berardi said. “No matter if you believe stronger in one side or another, the thing is we have been moving further from each other and more divided in life because of politics and disagreements, and it’s gone on more and more."
Now that Election Day has come and gone, Donald J. Trump has been declared the winner according to the Electoral College, while also winning the popular vote. Many will feel relief at the fact that the campaigning is over. Students may still hear from the Vice President or incumbent President elect, but the advertisements, media posts, and annoying alerts are surely to stop. For those who aren’t burnt out, there is still a small window of two months before Trump is officially in office, with the Inauguration Day slated for Monday Jan. 20, 2025, taking place in Washington D.C.
