“Both sides are representing almost a toxic side to being Republican or Democrat.”

Joseph Morley, 25, is a kinesiology major wrapping up his last semester at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Like many young people, he is dissatisfied with his options in this year’s presidential election. With election day looming, he is trying to make sense of the candidates and their positions in an increasingly toxic race. To come to a decision, he has turned to the people in his life, his peers and family, to try to choose the better candidate.

Casmir Byrne: Why have you been unable to choose between the candidates so far?

Joseph Morley: I’d have to say that both sides are representing almost a toxic side to being Republican or Democrat. Neither side has given me enough reasons to decide currently, and I think it’s going to mostly come down to what I believe is the best option in the moment. I definitely feel like I’m picking between the lesser of two evils.

Casmir Byrne: Why are you dissatisfied with these two candidates?

Joseph Morley: The campaign ads that I see on TV, or really anywhere, are just going at each other’s throats and not presenting any real topic or discussions. There isn’t any policy or things that should be presented to the public to build a case. I can’t watch the debates because I find them annoying, they’re screaming matches that don’t say anything. They’re just attacking each other and being petty.

Casmir Byrne: What are the issues that matter the most to you?

Joseph Morley: It’s talked about, but abortion is going to be a big factor for me. That’s one of the main things that that they bring up in the ads, so they are focusing on it, but in a way that’s just to attack each other. Neither of them is actually saying anything productive, so it just feels hollow when either of them talk about it.

Casmir Byrne: How have the people around you impacted your decisions regarding who to vote for?

Joseph Morley: I actually went to my dad to ask him who I should vote for.

Casmir Byrne: You went to your dad over a friend or peer?

Joseph Morley: Yeah, I trust my dad’s point of view on things, and I talked about it with him and my stepmom. It gave me more of a clear idea of who I wanted to vote for, but it’s still up in the air. The people around me will give me ideas on what they’re voting for or the issues that matter to them, so I also take their point of view into account. I definitely bring those factors in when I’m making a decision like this, but in general I value the older generation and their point of view on things.