A few weeks ago, I volunteered at a phone bank where I asked people if they would be voting in the upcoming midterm election.
We were calling registered voters, encouraging them to turn out to the polls and reminding them whom they will be able to vote for. The people we contacted tend to turn out for the national elections but not for the midterms.
I got various responses. The majority of people who answered were already planning on voting, but some didn’t even know they could vote this year.
I encouraged them to vote because of this fall’s midterm election which will pit incumbent Senator Kay Hagan against NC House Speaker Thom Tillis. Both candidates have very different agendas, and it is important that whoever the winner, voters’ voices are not ignored.
It surprised me that some people didn’t even know they could vote this fall, mainly because it’s so important to me.
I’ve been to several events where I’ve gotten to meet many candidates in person. It’s so different just seeing a candidate’s name on the ballot as opposed to meeting them in person and talking to them. I’ve gotten to meet the people who will be making decisions that affect my life in Wake County.
I know, of course, not everyone can go out of their way to meet who they’ll be voting for in November, but I really want to encourage people to realize how important it is to vote in the midterms and not just the national elections.
Politico named North Carolina as having the most key Senate race in the country and Wake County as the most important county in the race. Whether Tillis or Hagan wins, Wake County will sway the outcome.
Also, their race has brought in more outside spending than in any other state, as reported by the News & Observer.
More than ever, people should be voting in this midterm election in Wake County.
That’s why I hope there’s a good turnout for this election, especially for students at our university.
According to the NC State Board of Elections, 44 percent of registered voters turned out for the last midterm election in North Carolina. Less than half? Imagine how different the outcome of that election could’ve been if a greater amount of registered voters had gone to the polls.
Also in the 2010 midterm, the New York Times reported that voters age 18-29 had a turnout rate of 11 percent nationwide. Think of the outcome of this election if young voters had a stronger turn out rate. It could completely change the course of this election.
For students at our university, make sure you register to vote, or if you need to, update your address so you can vote here in Wake County. Maybe even get a group of people together that need transportation or just go together to encourage your friends to vote too.
Learn whom you’ll be able to vote for and read about them so you’ll be prepared to make your decision on the ballot. Maybe it’ll make you more interested in politics or pay more attention to it because of the direct impact the decisions of local politicians have on your lives.
I really would like to see more people take pride in voting and make it a priority to turn out in the midterms. If you don’t like your current representatives and want to see a change, voting does make a difference and it does give you a voice.