As soon as 20-year-old Treasure Duncan was asked about her voter registration status in Brody Hall, she asked, “Are you going to try and get me to register?”
Duncan was expecting one of the student groups who roam the Michigan State University campus seeking to register people, who are often living away from their hometowns.
MSU Junior Treasure Duncan in Brody Hall
“It’s pretty annoying,” said Duncan, a communication junior. “Every time I see them, I almost immediately try and go the other way.”
Duncan admits she is not registered to vote and currently isn’t interested in registering. She isn’t ashamed of this either.
“I know that I should probably register but I know have no intentions of voting so it kind of seems like a waste of time for me personally,” she said.
Duncan chooses not to vote because she perceives politicians as scam artists, which makes it difficult for her to know what policies are real.
“I know it may sound crazy but for me to be able to trust a politician is just hard,” Duncan said. “I just don’t think they always have the public’s best interest in their hearts.”
Although not a registered voter, Duncan does have several different issues that she holds close to her heart. She still believes it is important for politicians to not only talk about issues but actually do something to bring them to light.
“Things like police brutality, affordable healthcare, gun control, the economy and jobs, and something that is often overlooked in my opinion is environmental control,” Duncan said.
Duncan feels that politicians often bring up these issues during campaigns, but when actually elected these issues are often buried. She said one of her biggest reasons for not voting is the lack of effort put into those important issues.
“I know that voting is important, especially as an African American,” Duncan said. “People literally fought and put in so much for us to be able to vote, so sometimes I do honestly feel bad for not voting, but I just can’t bring myself to vote for people who may not be who they say they are.”
Duncan hopes one day to be able to bring herself to register and possibly vote in her first election. For now, she understands that voting is important but she isn’t ready to make that decision.
“Even though I’m not registered to vote, I commend those who do participate,” she said. “I just am not personally ready to take that step.”