• About
  • Masthead
    • Editorial Board
  • Advertise
  • Join Us
  • Archives
The Wellesley News -
  • News
    • Residential halls experience maintenance issues
      Residential halls experience maintenance issues
    • Wellesley community grapples with ChatGPT’s implications
      Wellesley community grapples with ChatGPT’s implications
    • Students protest for trans and nonbinary rights
      Students protest for trans and nonbinary rights
    • News in Brief
    • Senate Report
  • Features
    • ES 300 Conducts Waste Audit
      ES 300 Conducts Waste Audit
    • Scholar-advocate visits Wellesley to discuss women and incarceration
      Scholar-advocate visits Wellesley to discuss women and incarceration
    • Diana Khoi Nguyen leads workshop and poetry reading
      Diana Khoi Nguyen leads workshop and poetry reading
    • Alumnae Spotlight
    • Faculty Focus
  • Opinions
    • Navigating Anonymity-Seeking Apps at Wellesley
      Navigating Anonymity-Seeking Apps at Wellesley
    • Trans people are not your culture war
      Trans people are not your culture war
    • The Silicon Valley Bank collapse has exposed how the government chooses to spend its money
      The Silicon Valley Bank collapse has exposed how the government chooses to spend its money
    • Staff Editorial
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Arts
    • Hozier stuns with “Eat Your Young” EP
      Hozier stuns with “Eat Your Young” EP
    • Diana Khoi Nguyen leads workshop and poetry reading
      Diana Khoi Nguyen leads workshop and poetry reading
    • “Cocaine Bear” indicates the return of camp movies
      “Cocaine Bear” indicates the return of camp movies
    • Books Before Boys
  • Sports and Wellness
    • No image
      What even is a BORG and why does it matter?
    • What even are BORGs and why do they matter?
      What even are BORGs and why do they matter?
    • What video games can teach us about self-care
      What video games can teach us about self-care
    • Athlete of the Month
  • The Wellesley Snooze
    • Miss Me With That Gay Shit
      Miss Me With That Gay Shit
    • Tower House Prez Emails
      Tower House Prez Emails
    • Worst Human Being You’ve Ever Met Validated by Stone Center Therapist
      Worst Human Being You’ve Ever Met Validated by Stone Center Therapist
By Lizamaria Arias Opinions, The Elephant in the RoomOctober 30, 2014

Go vote, millennial!

In 2008, millennials swept President Obama into office by turning out to vote in unprecedented numbers and did so again in 2012. The record turnout among millennials in both of these elections sent forth the message that we are the deciding factor in an election.

Fast forward two years, we find ourselves at the 2014 midterms. Millennials are not predicted to turn out in large numbers. In fact, in places like Iowa, polls are expecting turn-out to drop from 54 percent to 26 percent.

President Obama, who remains relatively popular among younger voters, is not on any ballot, and the younger generation does not seem enthused by the candidates being put forth by either party.

This election is going to be extremely close.  Republicans are riled up — they have been waiting for precisely this moment and the momentum is building; the battle cry is, “Six seats!”  Democrats are looking to hold on to the Senate and prove that, despite past fumbles, the party that promised hope and change can still deliver.

Across the country, both parties are phone banking, fundraising and door knocking. The Democrats are bringing out figures like Hillary Clinton to campaign for candidates in races that are too close to call. Republicans are relying on a solid donor base to fund their expansive efforts.  Meanwhile, if you ask a millennial if they are planning on voting, only about 23 percent will give a definite yes.

Why? The experts keep throwing around the word “disillusionment,” and they are right.  Maybe you hoped for change in 2008 and 2012 but have not seen evidence of such change.  Maybe you are over petty partisan bickering and the perpetual gridlock.

However, whatever the reason for disillusionment may be, remember that we can shape that disillusionment into a ballot. The people we send to Congress on Nov. 4 are the people who are going to make decisions that will affect our future. If we do not join the conversation, we cannot shape its outcome.    

And if you do not like the topic of conversation?  Well, go out and vote to change it. Many millennials feel that the national rhetoric is not addressing the issues they care about. Student loans, education, immigration reform, marriage equality — whatever issue it may be, if your representatives or senators are not addressing issues that you care about, let them know by casting a ballot.

So whether you are a conservative, liberal, Tea Party or Green Party supporter — go vote! If you are not registered to vote in Massachusetts, fill out an absentee ballot: If you do not know who is running in your district, Google it!

This next congress is going to make decisions that are going to affect you. Whether you are a political junky or have zero interest in politics does not matter. The fact is, decisions will be made, legislation will be passed and the political world will keep on spinning. Have a say in which direction it spins.

Share on

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Google +
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Previous articleNYT article reveals objectification of trans bodies
Next articleDon’t forget the Davis Scholars

You may also like

Sidechat and YikYak's logos on a teal background

Navigating Anonymity-Seeking Apps at Wellesley

Chalk art on Wellesley's Academic Quad Reading "Not Just Acceptance, Liberation"

Trans people are not your culture war

The letters SVB in red are crumbling to pieces

The Silicon Valley Bank collapse has exposed how the government chooses to spend its money

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

COPYRIGHT © 2023 THE WELLESLEY NEWS
Back to top