What Voting Means for You
Are you exercising your 15th Amendment right? No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, understanding and exercising your right to vote is highly important! Sometimes the media and society can frame voting as a daunting, insignificant, or powerless action. No matter how voting is portrayed, you can rest assured that your voice and vote holds a great deal of weight.
Voting is not about inducting someone who’s good or bad; it’s about choosing policies and an economy that best suit your ethics and morals. Similarly, your politics should not be a topic of embarrassment but rather an open conversation in which you can learn, develop understanding, and decide how you want America to show up for you. Since our votes hold great power, it is important to stay educated and updated so decisions are made that align with our beliefs. Each time you go out and vote, it’s a learning process. It’s never wrong to change your opinion or vote outside of your party. Because national elections can feel broad and out of touch, you can start locally by gaining insight on what directly impacts you and your community. Understanding those local policies and systems that need reform can be the genesis of your voting journey. In light of this, the 2026 Midterm General Elections will be held on Tuesday, November 3rd. This is a great time to get informed and go vote!
How to Get Informed & Vote
After understanding what voting does for us on an individual level, we can take steps to prepare for casting our vote. Firstly, in order to vote, you must be registered. Many of us may be registered through the DMV; however, if that does not apply, there are other ways in which you can get registered. You can go online and fill out a form. You can also download the application electronically and mail your form, which is the most time consuming and may need to be done within a certain time frame. Lastly, you can register to vote in person at a local registration office or on the same day you cast your ballot during the early vote period. The early vote period is a designated period of time in which certain polling locations are open, and votes can be cast prior to the actual election day or deadline. In Virginia, the early voting period is a time window of 45 days. For the 2026 General Midterm Elections, this window is between September 18th and October 31st.
After registering and understanding the actual process of voting, we need to know what and whom we are voting for. For relevance, the General Midterm Election is always held half-way through the president’s four-year term. This election determines what party will control Congress. The ballot is made up of the individual, local, state, and federal offices. Even if you have a particular party you are registered as or heavily aligned with, doing your research and understanding the beliefs, values, and priorities of the politicians running for office is highly important and helps you make the most informed vote.
The political, economic, and societal decisions made now will have a direct impact on our lives as young adults in college and onward. Taking the time to be politically informed and to vote will transition you from an uninformed, passive citizen to an active participant who is making a difference. Be the change you want to see and help the needs of our generation be heard.