Final answer:
To engage college students in voting, political candidates must have name recognition, understand local issues, offer differentiated options at the polls, and show clear stances on critical issues. Demographics and personal traits also influence voter decisions. A vibrant democracy requires clear options that align with voters' concerns, motivating participation.
Step-by-step explanation:
For political candidates to excite and mobilize college students to vote, they must exhibit certain qualities. Name recognition is crucial for any candidate, as individuals are less likely to vote for someone they haven't heard of. Candidates who have previously held national office, like Barack Obama as a junior senator, or are related to public figures tend to have an advantage in this area. Furthermore, candidates must show that they understand local issues as constituents often vote based on what affects them personally, such as the quality of local jobs, education, and infrastructure.
Candidate differentiation is essential in providing voters with clear choices that resonate with their personal preferences and concerns, thereby encouraging voter participation. Additionally, the personal traits of candidates, such as demographics and attractiveness, can play significant roles. In the 2020 Democratic nomination process, a diverse array of candidates brought a wide range of new perspectives and demographic representations to the forefront.
At its core, a vibrant democracy requires that voters are presented with candidates that express clear, differentiated stances on the issues that matter most to them. It is important, then, for a candidate aiming to reach college students to have a platform addressing the critical concerns of the day, which may include senior's issues, the federal budget, and voters' personal preferences on national policies.