Every four years on the first Tuesday in November, America votes. For many Notre Dame students, this year’s election on November 6 was the first presidential election for which they were eligible to vote. Many consider the election to be an important choice concerning the nation’s direction for generations to come. Millions of dollars have been spent in advertising and campaigning on issues like jobs, the economy, health care, the debt and deficit and foreign policy. The economy and jobs seem to be the key issues for many Americans, particularly college students.

College students from all over the country and from many different backgrounds are focused on getting a job for after graduation. Unemployment has been especially harsh for young men and women. While Notre Dame students’ job prospects are better than those of many other college students, the economy will still affect decision-making concerning post-college life and income.

Students at Notre Dame voted in a mock election last week, with expected results: Governor Romney edged out President Obama. While the Notre Dame student body may be more conservative and religious than the general population, the students are young, which is a demographic that nationally favors Obama and the Democratic Party.

For some students, the electoral college is a frustrating institution that can discourage students from voting how they truly feel. Senior Physics major Tim O’Brien disagrees with the ideology and proposed policy of Governor Romney; however, because O’Brien is from Idaho and President Obama has little chance of winning there, O’Brien instead cast his ballot for Governor Gary Johnson, a libertarian.

Mark Dean, a senior biochemistry and pre-dental student from Texas, cast his ballot for Mitt Romney. For many, like him, his decision was largely determined by the candidates’ ideologies and view of the role of government. Dean doesn’t agree with the president’s perspective. He is against “using big government to solve local problems,” as Obama has done during his first term. “Obamacare” is one such example; moreover, the president has promised to continue these policies if elected for a second term.

Be it ideological differences or particularly issues, Notre Dame students feel strongly about their candidates. National results came in the evening of the election with a clear and convincing electoral college winner. These results differ from the Notre Dame mock election. Ohio voters did not desire a repeal of Obamacare and many trusted Barack Obama with the task of improving the economy. We will have four more years of President Barack Obama; the voters, especially the young voters, have made their preference known.

Nate Balmert is a senior Biological Sciences major who is extremely excited about this election coming to an end. Like the excitement and ups and downs in Notre Dame’s win over Pittsburgh, he hopes that his preferred candidate will also be victorious. Contact Nate at nbalmert@nd.edu.