BUFFALO, N.Y. — There is just one week left before voters head to the polls on election day. Some voters are at the polls for the first time and are weighing in on what's most important to them.
"Probably the most important thing is the economy. I'm getting to the age where I'm going to be on my own and buying a house and stuff like that," said Jacob Valachos, a student on Buffalo State's campus.
Other students, have education at the top of their list.
"The number one thing that I think is important to me is education," said Aniya Flowers.
When asked about the number one issue, reproductive rights were at the top of Tarah Mcphail's list.
"Women's right's for reproduction and the choice to choose," said Mcphail.
Although students have varying perspectives on candidates and issues, there does seem to be a common thread: they're planning on getting out and voting.
Manny Mejia, a junior at Buff state, is one of them.
"The general consensus here, a lot of people, a lot of young people especially are making a plan to get out and vote. They're preregistering, I know a lot of people who have voted early," said Mejia.
This year, the university will have an official polling site open on election day. Organizers said the accessibility will be a game changer for young voters.
"They know where that building is. They've probably walked past the building where the polling booths are going to be in. It makes it much more likely that students and especially young voters are going to vote," said Dr. Peter Yacobucci, Associate Professor of Political Science and Public Law.
Young voters, especially locally, have impact in Erie county. In the 18 to 20 and 21 to 29 age ranges combined, there are 104,584 people eligible to vote.