Voting In Midterm Elections Is Just As Important As Voting For The President
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Voting In Midterm Elections Is Just As Important As Voting For The President

Stop procrastinating and go register to vote!

104
Voting In Midterm Elections Is Just As Important As Voting For The President
Mirah Curzer

With Florida's gubernatorial primary coming up on August 28, now is the perfect time to register to vote so you can not only choose the governor, but also the senator and members of the Florida House of Representatives. One of the things I looked forward to the most last year about turning 18 was being able to vote, but it has been worrying me that I have not seen many other young people interested in voting. I either see people say that they only care about presidential elections or that do not care about politics at all. Both of these sentiments are incredibly misguided because voting in midterm elections is just as important - if not more so - than voting for the president.

I can understand thinking that the race for president is the only election that matters because some people make it seem like the President of the United States is the only politician with significant power in our country. Even though the president is the leader of our country, the members of the House and the Senate are crucial to our government as well. In order for laws to be passed, they must have the support of the House, the Senate, and the president. Of course, the president can also create an executive order, which Congress does not have to approve, but in general, bills have to have congressional approval in order for them to become laws. It is critical to vote in midterm elections because, in order for you to actually see the changes that you want in our government, you have to vote in people that have the same views as you do. If enough Americans vote for candidates that are all members of the same political party, such as voting mostly Democrats into Congress, then there is the potential for massive amounts of change.

When the party that has control of Congress is the same party as the current president, it becomes much easier for legislation to be passed because the majority of the members have the same views as the president. However, the opposite is also true. If the president's opposing party has control of Congress, then there will be more resistance to any bills that members of the president's party introduce. You cannot expect to only vote for the president and see the change you want in the country, because the president can only go so far without support from Congress. This may be a good thing, depending on how you view the current president, so just be mindful of the power that your vote has and how you can influence the direction that the country goes. If you are opposed to the views that Trump has, then you should want to do everything in your power to vote in politicians that disagree with him and his party so that it would be harder for them to pass the legislation that they desire.

Arguably, one of the politicians that will be able to directly affect you the most is the governor of your state. The gubernatorial election should not be one you ignore, because the governor will be the one that can make huge changes to your state. Some of the responsibilities of governors include passing or vetoing bills, creating a budget for their state, and nominating officials to serve in state executive branch positions. You should vote for a governor that you believe in because then you will be able to see your vote truly making a difference in your own community.

Below, I will be linking some websites that will give you a rundown of each Florida candidate's platform so that you can make an informed decision this election season. If you are not yet registered to vote in the state of Florida, you can do so here. If you need an absentee ballot, you can have one mailed to you by clicking here.

Encourage your friends, family, classmates, and anyone else to vote because it is your way of making your voice heard in our government.

Florida Governor's Race Candidates

Florida Senate Race Candidates

How to find your congressional district and a list of Florida candidates in each district

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52505
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33736
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956489
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181329
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments