What do Millenials think of wild 2016 election?

DALLAS (SMU) – The 2016 presidential election has been one of the most polarizing and electrifying contests of the modern era, but is all that buzz exciting millennial voters, or tuning them out? Local media can find out during a non-partisan SMU debate-watch party at 7:30 p.m. today (Monday) in room 241 of Umphrey Lee Center, https://sites.smu.edu/apps/campus-map/

“For the first time in 20 years, I don’t see any bumper stickers on student laptops at debate competitions,” says SMU director of debate Ben Voth, who is hosting the debate watch party.

“This college group, whatever they’re doing, they don’t want anyone to know what it is, and it might be they’re not going to vote,” Voth adds. “Both campaigns are painting their opposing candidate as abhorrent, and that’s a negative rhetorical frame that’s not appealing in an idealistic sense. Millennials are feeling a general disenchantment brought on by cynicism.”

Voth will open the debate watch party with a short introductory lecture at 7:30 p.m., laying out evening’s plans, introducing some of the issues that will be debated and discussing the framework of the debate, which begins at 8 p.m.Voth will conduct straw polls of the students twice during the evening to gauge who they believe is winning during the course of the debate.

At the debate’s conclusion, Voth will lead the students through a quick debrief of the debate’s signature moments.

At a Glance

What: SMU director of debate Ben Voth hosts a student debate watch party that will feature two straw polls of the participants. The event is open to students and media. Anywhere from 40 to 120 students are expected to attend.

When: 7:30–10:30 p.m. today (Monday)

Where: Room 241, Umphrey Lee, 3300 Dyer Street

Media RSVP: Contact Kenny Ryan at khryan@smu.edu, 214-768-7641 or 512-796-8970

Media Parking: Park “on the bricks” at the north end of Bishop Blvd. near the flagpole

Sponsor: SMU Debate

###

SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls approximately 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.

21847-nr-9/26/16-kr