It’s the Choice to Stay Present After Elections Are Over and why your vote is just the start of your real civic power
Midterm week is old news, even though voting day was last Tuesday. Some of the candidates you elected may have won, and some of the constitutional amendments you chose to either pass or rejected turned out in the way you hoped. Others may have not. It’s easy to get temporarily upset or rant about it online for a while. But that’s not going to change much because real change takes way more than a story, a #GirlPower hashtag, a two-minute video, or a quick chat. To see change or to be in a position of influence that solves problems in the community, you have to start somewhere in the real world, and it’s not too late.
Are you involved in civics campus organizations or clubs? Obtaining a leadership role in those organizations or the Student Government Association is an amazing opportunity, but being elected might not happen. So start your own organization. With an advisor and an e-board to bring your vision to life, promote activities such as informational sessions, game nights, watch parties, and volunteering opportunities for community service.
Which podcasts, livestreams, or YouTube videos do you watch? Which news platforms do you navigate that consistently provide accurate, objective journalism? Do you follow any government officials online? Think about the bias you believe compared to what is actually true to make informed discernments about whether the right policy is being enacted to solve a particular problem, which can be an avenue of discussion in your campus circles and your everyday interactions.
Are you actively learning? It is important to grasp new information about government functions and legislative processes every day, even if you are not majoring in History and Government; Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; or Criminal Justice. Introduction to Public Policy, Black Politics, Modern Political Philosophy, and US Legislative Process are examples of many electives that can expand your network of mentors and broaden your understanding of the nation’s government structures besides the required general education history courses.
Have you volunteered? There’s more to it than becoming an election judge or a voter registration volunteer. For example, there are many boards and commissions to join that prioritize the safety and rights of citizens throughout the county. Supporting engagement with the Office of Community Relations and individual advocacy by calling and emailing your district and state representatives and delegates and U.S. Senators is both a great way to not only serve in the county but also to ensure accountability from our leaders.
But you can be a leader, too. Being the change you’re looking for can’t happen by dreaming, and being the solution can’t happen by complaining. The midterms should be a starting point to get your vision of the ground and to see it through, but that can only happen with a plan in action and the goals to achieve it in motion.