Vice Presidential candidates JD Vance, running with former President Donald Trump, and Tim Walz, with Vice President Kamala Harris, faced off at a debate in New York on Oct. 1. This was the last scheduled debate for the 2024 election in November.
Teachers and students at Hinsdale Central have different opinions on if it is necessary as a citizen of the United States to watch debates and be conscious of the presidential and vice presidential candidates for the upcoming election.
“I think it’s important [to watch debates] because some of the kids will be voting in a few weeks,” said Christopher Wilbur, an AP Government teacher at Hinsdale Central. “It’s important to be participants in our democracy, whether you’re voting or not, and watching these national events that we all have access to is a good way to participate.”
Many say the debate between Vance and Walz was very civil as both candidates were respectful of each other’s opinions, and say that Vance and Walz were also able to recognize when their presidential candidates were successful and unsuccessful.
Students at Hinsdale Central also said they have strong beliefs about the importance of watching presidential debates and forming opinions about candidates.
“There’s a lot of fake news on the Internet that is trying to make people feel a certain way, so people need to do their research,” said Christy O’Malley, junior. “Because we live in this country we should be able to talk about our opinions of the presidential candidates.”
Some students who aren’t old enough to vote in November said they still place importance in caring about the upcoming election.
“I care about the election and politics because my dad works a job that depends on the economy, so I want there to be a presidential candidate that’s going to create a better economy for my dad and his work,” said Maddie Chillo, junior.
Some students said they feel disappointed in the United States because of how poorly past presidential debates have gone.
“Over these past couple years politics has turned from [candidates] actually talking about policies and things they want to accomplish to mudslinging and hurling insults at each other,” Chillo said.
Students and teachers compared the debate to former debates between Trump and Biden and Trump and Harris.
“It was very similar to long past debates where there was a lot more cordialness…compared to more recent debates it was different because [candidates] were more combative,” Wilbur said.
As the election approaches students, events like the debates may sway students and teachers’ opinions on critical issues and candidates. Nov. 5, which is election day, is a non-attendence day for students and staff.
To read more about the election and voting process click here.
