ATLANTA (TIP) – Jimmy Carter says American politics is at an “all-time low” but “is bound to get better” following the November elections.

The former U.S. president spoke Wednesday night at Emory University in Atlanta during the 35th annual town hall he’s held with freshmen students. Carter is a distinguished professor at the university, and the nonprofit he founded is an affiliate of the school.

Carter, who is 91, fielded questions on immigrants’ role in America, the presidential election and how much he slept while president.

Asked what advice he’d give first-time voters, Carter jokingly said he considered responding “abstain.” But ultimately, he advised those who “want to be like me” to vote for Democrats.

He expressed concern about deep divisions in the country but said history shows those can be healed.