Remember these 4 important tips this election

Guest writer: Madeline From (’26)

‘Tis the season of yards adorned with political signs, the sweet songs of campaign ads, and election talk galore! Understandably, there’s a growing sense of burnout mixed in with the anticipation. With only a few days left in the election season and the potential for a contentious, drawn out result process, Hope is now home to a wide range of emotions, opinions, and expectations. In this time of uncertainty, let me offer a few appeals. 

1. Don’t stop now! Nationwide, almost 60 million people have already voted early or by absentee ballot. So don’t forget to mail those ballots, find a dropbox, or (most importantly) show up to the polls on November 5. Not registered? Michigan offers same-day registration at your election office, so show up!
2. Stay engaged! It can be easy to check the box (literally) and end it there. But tuning into your local and national government, current events, and policy issues are crucial skills to start developing. Even if it’s a few minutes per day of scanning different news sources, we’ll be well on our way to becoming better-informed citizens and understanding more of the world we live in.
3. Tune in locally as well as nationally! Yes, the presidential race is a big deal. Whoever wins will be the nation’s Commander in Chief, playing important executive, diplomatic, and other governmental roles. BUT the makeup of the House and the Senate matter greatly for Congressional legislation and the policymaking climate these next two years. Importantly, we are often most directly impacted by our local and state officials. We can’t overlook these seats!
4. Hold on to your compassion, patience, and hope! As a community, this is a wonderful time to come together above disagreements – standing out as a people who live differently than the polarized world around us. Your partisanship, your beliefs, your values are important and they matter. But so do the views of others, even when (especially when) they don’t align with yours. There is no one too Republican, Democrat, conservative, liberal or [insert label here] that they don’t deserve respect and dignity. So, Hope College, do not lose sight of others’ humanity. Speak with kindness and seek to genuinely understand, rather than shut down or label opposing sides. 

This election offers us the chance to make our voices heard as citizens. Not everyone has that opportunity… So use it! Election results will surely bring a wide array of emotions. Give yourself space to unpack your reaction, be mindful of the information you choose to share with others or online (fact-check first), and consider how your words or actions may affect your peers or different groups. Let’s be a model of loving our neighbors regardless of differences of opinions or which side of the political aisle we fall. Lastly, the buck does not stop with the vote. We can seek ways to continuously engage in and enact change in our communities and nation…The election is just one piece!

(Featured image source: Pexels / Sora Shimazaki)