‘It’s your fundamental right to vote, no matter your education level, no matter your understanding of things.’

Payton Kinsella is a UW-Milwaukee sophomore majoring in Film. He is from Woodbury, Minnesota, near the Twin Cities, which he credits with shaping how he views politics.

Mara Branum: Do you plan to vote?

Payton Kinsella: I do plan to vote; I’m doing an absentee ballot.

Mara Branum: Is there a reason why you plan to vote? Why is voting important to you?

Payton Kinsella: I think it’s just very important for everyone to get their voice out. Even if you aren’t, like, incredibly educated in stuff, you still deserve to have your voice heard. Even though it can seem insignificant, it’s important that each person gets their say in topics.

Mara Branum: How are you feeling this fall about the election?

Payton Kinsella: There’s definitely a lot of pressure with this one. For both sides, and I think there’s a lot relying on it. So there’s just a lot of stress and a lot of confusion going on, so I think it’s hard to stay level-headed about topics. But I’m also optimistic about the future.

Mara Branum: Would you say you’re someone who’s interested in politics?

Payton Kinsella: I would say that I’m interested in politics, yes. I think it’s something I care about because you can clearly see how your voice can make an impact. It’s something where it’s hard to, especially in today’s day, make any change. But where you can have a direct influence on specifically your own community – maybe not on bigger topics – but just within your own community, having a voice and making change feels really powerful and very rewarding.

Mara Branum: It’s clear that you are someone who thinks that everyone should vote – is that right?

Payton Kinsella: Yes, I do.

Mara Branum: So my question for you is, what would you say to someone who is hesitant to vote?

Payton Kinsella: I think you definitely just have to, to a certain degree, take some of the pressure you have on yourself off. It can be a heavy topic – a lot of confusion with it. But I think just to understand that it’s your fundamental right to vote, no matter your education level, no matter your understanding of things, that you deserve to be heard. And your way of doing that is voting.

Mara Branum: Would you say you care more about issues or party loyalty when you’re voting? What do you look for in a candidate?

Payton Kinsella: I consider myself a liberal; I’m definitely Democrat-leaning. So while I do consider myself a part of that party, I definitely find it easier to look at candidates through issue-based topics. I find it helps me better understand their values and where I align with them. Even though, for the most part, that lies in the liberal field, I do like looking at specific issues.

Mara Branum: Are there any big issues that come to mind when you are voting?

Payton Kinsella: As a Minnesotan, definitely opinions on ICE raids are a huge topic. Pro-life versus pro-choice, and Israel-Palestine is one that is incredibly important to me. Also, healthcare benefits are something I’m very influenced by.

Mara Branum: You mentioned you’re from Minnesota, so you have different governor [candidates], obviously, than Wisconsin. How do you see yourself affected by the outcome of the governor’s race?

Payton Kinsella: I definitely see myself affected by it, just in relation to my community. I know so many families and friends who have been affected by, specifically, ICE raids and that’s something that, through political choices, has had a direct influence on their lives, and for that reason, mine as well.