The apprehensive Democrat in Jade Gray will soon delve into her concerns. However, graduating college amidst demonstrations and protests marked a poignant full-circle moment for her.
"In my application letter, I highlighted the history of protests and social justice movements on campus," Gray mentioned during an interview at the University of Michigan Student Union. She reiterated with a smile, "I have to be proud that this is the response on campus now. Despite the dire situation worldwide, I am impressed with the proactive response of people. It should empower and inspire us."
Now, onto the concerns.
Gray, along with fellow graduate Anushka Jalisatgi, who served as co-presidents of the campus College Democrats, recognize the pro-Gaza encampment that emerged on campus in the final weeks of school as a sign of deep political challenges for President Joe Biden in a state he can ill afford to lose.
"All roads to the White House lead through Michigan," Gray emphasized. "Michigan is up for grabs, and I didn't expect to be saying this. I wish I wasn't. But I am genuinely concerned about which way Michigan will go."
Jalisatgi, returning to campus to begin law school in September, hopes there won't be another encampment.
"Joe Biden has the power to ensure there isn't," she asserted. "And it starts with calling for a ceasefire, and listening to his student voters across the country."Gray and Jalisatgi are part of a 2024 CNN project that aims to understand the presidential campaign through the experiences of voters living in battleground states and belonging to voting blocs likely to determine the outcome.
Younger voters played a crucial role in Biden winning Michigan in 2020, with exit polls showing him capturing 61% of voters aged 18-29, compared to just 37% for Donald Trump. Younger voters also helped Michigan Democrats achieve significant victories in the 2022 midterms.
However, our conversations revealed significant challenges for Biden with this group in 2024, more so than we found during our initial visits with these voters in mid-November.
At that time, just weeks after the Hamas attack on Israel, campus activism critical of the Israeli response and Biden's handling of the crisis was in its infancy.
Now, this campus activism defines the stance of many young voters.
Diminished enthusiasm for voting for Biden
Summer Matkin, a freshman at Wayne State, was still adjusting to college life when we first spoke to her last November. When we caught up with her last week, she was back home in suburban Detroit.
"The adjustment was stressful," she recalled of her first year at college.
Last fall, she expressed major concerns about the president's age but didn't hesitate when asked who she would choose in a Biden-Trump rematch.
"I'd pick Biden," she affirmed in that November interview at Wayne State's computer gaming lounge.
This upcoming election will be Matkin's first presidential vote, and she was visibly excited talking about it last fall. Is she still as excited?
"Questionable."
Matkin now has more reservations about Biden. "His age will always be a factor," she explained. "No matter how many Taylor Swift references you make, you'll never understand us. But for me, I think he has handled everything related to Israel and Palestine terribly."
Matkin still leans towards Biden because she cannot bear the thought of Trump returning to the White House. However, she's engaged in a lively debate with her friends.
"I've also considered going third party," Matkin admitted. "Many in our generation are considering it. But I fear it might split the votes and end up benefiting Trump, which I wouldn't want."
A lukewarm endorsement
There has been some progress for Biden in our group.
When we spoke to Wayne State student Maya Siegmann last November, she was likely to support Biden. Now, she says she is certain. However, her endorsement is far from enthusiastic.
"His age is still a barrier," Siegmann stated during an interview at her suburban Detroit home. "I still think there should be an age cap on politicians. ... I would vote for Biden. I think he's the less bad option for president."
While she is thrilled with her grades, Siegmann, who is Jewish, is more relieved that this school year is over — a sentiment shared by many Jewish students amidst nationwide campus unrest.
"It was terrifying," she described the past semester. "The escalation on other campuses has made me fear for my campus."While Wayne State remained relatively calm, there were modest protests, and on a few occasions, the campus Hillel organization was locked down as a precaution during pro-Palestinian student demonstrations at the student union building where the campus Jewish organization is located.
Siegmann told us last November that she was excited to join a breakdancing club. However, she informed us this time that she quit because the club held a fundraiser for Palestinians, and she was concerned the money might end up supporting Hamas.
Siegmann said that when she asked a club leader about the event, he blocked her phone number.
This scenario repeated itself, Siegmann mentioned, when a Jewish student and former Hillel member became highly critical of Israel's response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.
"She asked for unbiased proof that Hamas is trying to eradicate the Jewish people," Siegmann recounted. "I sent her the Hamas charter. And then she blocked me."
Siegmann's father is Israeli, and she is spending the summer there. However, her unwavering support for the Jewish state is distinct from her views on the Israeli government, especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"I personally disagree with his approach," she stated. "I think he is trying to prolong the conflict. ... I think there should be a new prime minister of Israel."
Considering third-party options
Like Siegmann, Wayne State law student Ibrahim Ghazal offers nuanced perspectives often absent in political discourse about the conflict and campus protests.
Ghazal, of Palestinian descent with distant relatives in Gaza, is not a supporter of Hamas and recognizes Israel's right to respond to terrorism.
"We don't want violations of human rights," Ghazal expressed during a break from his final exams. "If you are going to wage war, do it in accordance with the rule of law, international law. That's all people are asking for. Nothing more."
During our visit in November, just five weeks after the Hamas attacks on October 7, it was already evident that Biden's standing in Michigan's Arab and Muslim communities was suffering. Ghazal believes the president's situation is even more precarious now.
"What is he going to do to earn our vote?" Ghazal questioned. "Sending unconditional aid to Israel while disregarding any of the human rights violations reported by international agencies continuously, not just denying but preventing independent probes and investigations into possible war crimes that have been committed and reported.
"That's a problem. If President Biden values Palestinian lives, values lives in Gaza, he would definitely allow for independent probes and investigations. If Biden wants to secure certain votes, he needs to change course."Ghazal mentioned he has been too occupied with school to find time but intends to explore third-party presidential options over the summer. Many of his friends are also considering third-party candidates.
"Yeah, that's definitely a conversation," Ghazal acknowledged. "Nobody wants to vote for Biden."
This sentiment was reflected in Michigan's Democratic presidential primary, where Biden lost to the "uncommitted" option on the ballot in the three Michigan communities with the highest number of