By Aryana Berhand and Joslyn King

How much of one’s personal values can be sacrificed for the sake of their country? In today’s political climate, many voters find themselves having to choose between the lesser of two evils. 

According to U.S. News & World Report, New Jersey is one of the most politically engaged states in the country. This is doubly true of Princeton, New Jersey, where residents spoke candidly about the influence of their values on their voting habits.

Several Princetonians rejected the philosophy of single-issue voting, keeping in mind the myriad of issues that affect not only our country, but the rest of the world, too.

“If the candidate’s gonna be in office, then their decisions will affect everything,” said Emma Cichone. “So you have to look at everything.”

This belief is held even among those who are not yet eligible to vote. “I’d have to look at the person’s values, not necessarily just their opinion on that one issue,” said Maddie Fowler, a local high school student. 

However, there is some recognition that single-issue voting is a prevalent practice in current times. Andrew Guo, who does not single-issue vote, believes that it is important to understand others’ views, especially in politics. He approached the conversation with empathy, understanding that voting can be difficult. 

“I think ideally you would judge a candidate’s worth based off of what he believes on all sorts of issues, not just one issue,” he said. Still, Guo could see why some people might gravitate towards single-issue voting. 

During the 2024 presidential election, the conflict between Palestine and Israel divided voters, though both candidates held pro-Israel ideals. Some people felt so strongly about this issue that they chose not to vote at all. 

For many Princetonians, voting is an important part of the civic responsibility they feel at the local and national level. While some people look at candidates holistically, others vote on the specific issues that are important to them. 

Whatever the case may be, one vote comes down to one person’s values. Sometimes, it comes down to one of those values alone.