Aurora Hons
Staff Writer
Local officials and candidates are starting to recognize that students could be a political sleeping giant. The question is: are they doing enough to wake them up?
Idaho State University students make up a significant portion of Pocatello’s population, yet historically they have participated in local elections at very low rates. This year, the question is raised of whether city candidates are doing enough to reach the university community and whether students recognize the impact local government has on their daily lives.
During the recent election on Nov. 5, voter turnout in Pocatello came out to just under 40%. According to a research study conducted by National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement, voting among college students has seen an upward trend since 2012.
Key policy issues affecting students include housing, transportation, safety and nightlife, and local employment. Rising rental costs and limited affordable options place strain on students working part-time or full-time while enrolled. Public transit limitations, especially evening and weekend gaps, affect students without cars and those balancing work and class schedules. Stacy Satterfield, a candidate for Pocatello city council seat five, gives some insight.
“The issues I see that affect ISU students the most are housing or rental costs that have gotten out of control,” Satterfield said. “For a student to go to school full time and work full time and not be able to make ends meet is a big problem. We always want to make sure that while going through school we have jobs for them during and after they graduate.”
“Our goal for Pocatello is for those graduates to have the opportunity to get a job placement here in Pocatello if they want,” she added. “Many graduates have to look outside of Pocatello for a good paying job in their field. I really want to see that improvement for graduates.”
With over 12,000 students enrolled at ISU and only about 17,582 voters participating in the previous city election, the numerical potential is clear. Even if only a fraction of students living in Pocatello cast ballots, they could influence close races.
Keven Lewis, an additional candidate for Pocatello city council seat five, discussed specifically why college students should have more stake in local elections.
“It’s a fair question – especially from young people that have never seen a politician that works for them or takes their priorities seriously. That said, nothing changes unless you get involved. This is especially true in local elections,” Lewis said. “Local races determine the direction of the city and oftentimes these elections are determined by slim margins. If young people want to see things change they currently have the numbers to do so.”
As Pocatello grapples with housing pressures, economic development, and public safety concerns, ISU students remain an underutilized voting bloc whose daily lives are shaped by city policies. Whether this year’s election will prompt greater engagement remains uncertain, but the conversation around student involvement and candidates’ willingness to reach out to them, may shape both the outcome of the race and the long-term relationship between the city and the university.
