Students walking past the voting sign at the Suny New Paltz Student Union Building on Nov.4.2025. Photo byAlicia Zurita
Harry Ellis, Retired New Paltz Resident:
“I think the election is important. I mean I know some of the candidates personally, but what sense is it if it’s uncontested. I mean, they’re going to win anyways. I don’t even know if it’s worth the effort.”
Kayla Cleary-Ariza, SUNY New Paltz Political Science Major:
“This election is important to me because local elections are where you can see the change that you want to see despite our current government.”
Gary Pavone, SUNY New Paltz Political Science Major:
“I don’t feel particularly connected to any campaign. I’ve been invested in the one that’s happening in the city with Zohran Mamdani right now. He’s been out and talking to New Yorkers, and I feel that’s someone who’s a good representation for New York.”
Yuli Achilleos, Queens Resident and SUNY New Paltz History Major:
“A lot of my friends were pushing me to vote and showing me how to do it. I usually don’t know when things like this are going on — I’m not big into politics.”
Carrie Williams, Brooklyn Resident and SUNY New Paltz Early Childhood Education Major:
“Today I’m not voting. I’m from the city, but unfortunately I didn’t get my absentee ballot. I care so much about where I’m from and the people who live there, and they deserve a leader who cares about them too.”
Empty polling place at the SUNY New Paltz Student Union Building on Nov. 4. 2025. Photo by Alicia Zurita.
Emma Paulsen, NYPIRG Correspondent:
“It’s definitely disappointing. There’s always going to be people that just vote in the presidentals, but I am really hoping that later on in the day, more people turn out for this local election.”
Linda Oehler-Marx, Deputy Superintendent in New Paltz Schools:
“What a privilege to decide that you don’t need to vote. I think that not every policy out there right now is not gonna have the same impact on every person. And so it’s my responsibility to make sure that I do what I can to further the things that are important to me.”
A New Paltz resident and Middle School faculty member showcases her pink VOTE shirt outside the polling line at New Paltz Middle School on Tuesday. Photo by Elias Mavreas.
Like it or not, A.I. usage has become commonplace in schools across America, along with controversy surrounding its usage. Some have actively embraced the new […]
