By Emily Krupicka
As Americans face growing political polarization, candidates continure debating important issues on the campaign trail; however, with the general election rapidly approaching, many first-time voters are unsure who they’re voting for.
Although anticipation has revolved around deciding who the next president will be, voters will also be choosing people to fill vacancies in federal, state, county and municipal offices and will be able to vote on proposed legislation.
“Elections are important, said Senior Damon Bennett. “They ensure that the promise of a government — for the people and by the people — is kept true.”
This year, both sides of the political spectrum have signified 2020 as the most important election year in modern-day history with many important issues at stake.
“Politics and who’s in office greatly affects the lives and livelihood of marginalized groups,” said a Northwest student. “It’s important to think of those whose voices are limited or not taken as seriously in this country.”
Presidential candidates have championed for people to vote in this election and make their voices heard, each one taking different approaches.
“No matter what, voting allows for the voices of the people to create change,” added Bennett. “That’s why it’s important.”
President Donald Trump’s appeal to the white working class voters in the Midwest and perennial swing states guaranteed his victory in the 2016 election. Continuing with this trend, Trump has spent much of his focus campaigning in these areas solidifying his support from Republicans and conserverative-leaning Independents.
Former Vice President Joe Biden, although also campaigning in the swing states, has hoped to defeat the incumbent by encouraging a higher youth turnout at the polls. Over the past few weeks, Biden has released social media posts that conform to the humor of the internet, hoping to draw in younger voters who, historically, have an unreliable record of actually showing up to vote.
In national polls, Biden has held a consistent lead over Trump in a popular vote; however, this alone does not insinuate a Democratic win.
The electoral college, composed of state electors, are in charge of casting electoral votes, which decide the presidency. In all but two states — Nebraska and Maine — a winner-takes-all approach is used. The outliers, however, use the congressional district method, allowing the electoral vote to be split.
This means that the results of the 2020 election are still up to voters. Despite the outcome, however, whoever wins this election will pave the way for the next four years of democracy.
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