Data centers top list of concerns for young Wyoming voters

Data centers represent the top priority for young voters in Wyoming, according to reporting from a recent candidate forum. That concern ranks above issues related to public lands and support for the University of Wyoming. These three topics emerged as the dominant themes in discussions with students ahead of the November 3 election.

Jordan Uplinger attended a meet and greet at the Arts and Sciences Auditorium on the UW campus. The event featured candidates for city council, sheriff, coroner, county clerk, assessor, treasurer, state Legislature, and governor. It was the first time UW’s Staff Senate, Faculty Senate, and student government organized such a gathering. While adults outnumbered students in the audience, organizers considered the turnout decent for an event scheduled only weeks before the vote.

Job availability was the unifying factor in nearly every conversation. Alastair Bernard, a freshman studying physics with an interest in nuclear sciences, said no candidate gave him confidence that Wyoming would become a hub for that industry. Cline Martinez, an anthropology and criminal justice student, expressed a desire to remain in the state but acknowledged that high-paying opportunities elsewhere often dictate where graduates settle.

Students noted that some city council candidates discussed involving youth in government without providing specific examples. Two sheriff candidates addressed concerns regarding Flock cameras, a type of automatic license plate reader. Aaron Sweeney, a second-year law student, called for leadership that respects young people and inspires hope that political processes are not chaotic. He noted that while some candidates showed competency, few seemed eager to win young voter support.

Keiana Morgan, a third-year transfer student in civil engineering, suggested the university should have promoted the event more aggressively. She noted that students have busy schedules filled with classes and exams, making it difficult to attend a Wednesday evening forum. She proposed that the event be live streamed or recorded to reach a wider audience.

Uplinger reported that students generally wanted to be at the forum but felt the university could have done more to appeal to them. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3. Videos of Wyoming PBS candidate debates and interviews with candidates in competitive races are available on Wyoming Public Media’s How Do I Vote page.