{"id":134356,"date":"2018-10-10T09:06:58","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T13:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/?p=134356"},"modified":"2021-11-30T14:30:26","modified_gmt":"2021-11-30T19:30:26","slug":"the-midterm-elections-finding-your-voice-in-todays-american-politics","status":"publish","type":"bu-article","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/sph\/news\/articles\/2018\/the-midterm-elections-finding-your-voice-in-todays-american-politics\/","title":{"rendered":"The Midterm Elections: Finding Your Voice in Today\u2019s American Politics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The midterm elections are just 4 weeks away, and the stakes are high, as these elections will shape American politics for years to come.<\/p>\n

At the congressional level<\/a><\/span>, all 435 members of the House of Representatives are on the ballot, as well as 35 seats in the Senate. Currently, Republicans control both chambers of Congress, but there is talk of a \u201cblue wave\u201d coming. Nonetheless, the party that controls Congress has a lot<\/em> of say in the direction our country progresses.<\/p>\n

Although these federal level elections are important, we cannot forget about the many local elections that will also be taking place across the country on election day. It is easy to let local elections slip by, as they are not as present in the media as congressional elections, but local elections matter. No level of government has more direct responsibility for our everyday lives and communities than the local government. Further, voting in local elections and holding elected officials accountable can help create momentum for changes to be made across the country.<\/p>\n

If the 2016 election taught us anything, it is that elections matter. The midterm elections are notorious<\/a><\/span> for having a lower voter turnout than the presidential election, with only around 40% of eligible voters showing up at the polls. Further, millennial voters are difficult to depend on<\/a><\/span> to show up to vote because they often lack a sense of urgency. However, Trump\u2019s 63% disapproval rating<\/a><\/span> from millennials offers promise for a higher overall turnout rate this November than in the past.<\/p>\n

Students, faculty, and staff across BU are talking about the importance of voting and political engagement this November. Here is what they have to say:<\/p>\n