The November midterm elections are on the horizon, and you know what that means… It’s time to head out to the polls and exercise your right to vote! With the Midterm elections just two weeks away, the CCI Department has put together this blog to help you understand the importance of this national event, how Chapman is helping students get informed, and lastly how you can register to vote. It doesn’t matter where or how you vote, just remember to try to vote early!
What Are Midterm Elections And Why Are They Important?
Recently, you may have received unsolicited text messages from politicians or even seen some election advertisements midway through your favorite show. Although some may think the midterm elections seem less significant than the presidential election, the elections on November 8th have a monumental impact on the direction of our nation. These Midterm elections occur every two years and fall in the middle of a president’s four-year term. One-third of the Senate and all seats in the House of Representatives are up for election. What does that mean for the White House you may ask? Well, President Joe Biden may have trouble the next two years of his term as “midterms often serve as a verdict on how the president is doing, and the party that holds the White House tends to lose seats” (Zurcher, BBC News).
One of the most substantial changes to come from the upcoming midterm elections are nationwide changes for abortion rights and restrictions. In June of 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, the constitutionally protected right to safe and equitable abortions. For these midterms, Republicans have vowed to propose a nationwide ban on abortion while Democrats have vowed to uphold this right. Another topic that will likely be affected by these elections is climate change. Within his first two years as president, Biden has focused his term on promoting clean energy, electric cars, and the reduction of oil pollution. With many Republicans upset with the President's focus on climate change and the lack of the oil production economy and gas prices, the ability to halt Biden’s agenda will increase if they take control of either chamber.
Though the Democratic party has had a majority of the House and Senate the past two years, the projection of a Republican chamber would result in gridlock until the next elections. Not only can the election results affect President Biden’s current term, they can also shape and determine the 2024 presidential race. Republican governors preparing to run in the next presidential election, such as Florida’s Ron DeSantis and Texas’ Greg Abbott, hope these midterms will gain a dominantly Republican Congress will help their bid for the White House. On the other hand, if states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin stay Democratic, Biden would have a chance of getting re-elected. Midterm elections are extremely important to the growth of our nation and we as voters have the power to take direct action when it comes to our future.
Student Engagement at Chapman
According to Chapman’s Department of Student Engagement, data shows that the number of students voting and registering to vote has been increasing. The university is dedicated to building a database for civic engagement and researching innovative ways to encourage political learning and engagement on our college campus. Data from the Department of Student Engagement shows that:
57.2% of eligible Chapman students voted in the 2016 elections, up from 46.6% in 2012”
81.6% of eligible Chapman students registered to vote in the 2016 elections, up from 71.7% in 2012.
44% of Chapman students voted in the 2018 midterm elections.
How To Register and Vote
Here at Chapman, the Student Union Department of Student Engagement is devoted to helping students have easy access to the voting process. As a college student at Chapman, you have the right to vote here in Orange or in your hometown community. Karla Monterrey, the Program Director of the Student Union Department of Student Engagement, states that “Chapman has committed to working toward 100% voter participation among the student body and the Student Union team is hoping that by registering to vote and/or by educating peers we can help reach this goal. The Student Union has partnered with TurboVote, a non-partisan organization that provides students resources and updates about voting. One important feature of TurboVote is its ability to help you remember important deadlines by sending you automatic reminders via text and information for local and out-of-state voters.
From now until election day, the Student Union Assistants will be hosting “Voter Engagement Lightning talks” in several classrooms across campus. These “lightning talks” consist of a quick 5–10-minute presentation designed to promote voter registration and engagement for Chapman students, leading up to the November election.” According to Monterrey, on October 28th, the Student Union will be celebrating the civic holiday known as “Vote Early Day” from 11am-2pm where students can visit the Department of Student Engagement’s table to find out where, when, and how they can cast their ballots early.
If you are able to vote in person, Chapman is offering same-day voter registration, early voting, and ballot-drop off in Argyros Forum from November 5th-8th, 2022. We hope to see you out at the polls and don’t forget to check out CU At The Booths for more information. Happy Voting!