The Scoop WINTER 2018-2019 | Page 10

The presidential elections are often a time of excitement and excited anticipation for all across the nation. While that enthusiasm is undoubtedly justified, it has overshadowed all other federal elections in the public consciousness. The president is one of the most influential people in the world, but their power is always being regulated by many other elected officials, who are primarily chosen during Midterms. This election provides an opportunity for all eligible voters to decide who many of those officials are going to be. If you are not aware, the Midterms are an election which takes place two years into a presidential term and the current one has just passed. During Midterms all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, a third of Congress, and vast majority Governor positions are up for grabs. It would be reasonable to ascertain that midterms are just as important as the presidential election, but turnout has barely broken 40% of eligible voters, compared to the presidents 60%. These are the people that will not just be your voice, but also there to keep the president accountable for his promises and breaches in conduct.

It wouldn’t be a stretch to claim that the current president has so far shown himself to be a somewhat controversial figure, who has made many bold claims and rash diplomatic decisions without much notable intervention to prevent further controversy. These offices that are up for grab hold a lot of sway in a bipartisan system —a system where only two political parties matter—like in the United States and anyone issue can cause people to change sides completely. As present paradigms are no longer set in stone, people and even entire communities may be shaken in their long-held beliefs, which leads to them being much more open to a change in leadership and representation. The careful balance which exists between our two-party system is no longer in balance, so any tiny shift in dynamics could potentially change the course of the rest of a president’s term.

The Midterms are a chance for citizens to grade the performance of the current administration. So it would be unfortunate if people let an opportunity to hold the government accountable for their failings or lose a chance to support people and policy which could improve their standards of living. This is not a time for apathy as it means people are allowing other people to decide how they can live. Not everyone has this opportunity, so don't let your chance go to waste. For those who can’t vote, make your voice heard by telling friends and loved ones to vote for people who will prioritize their interests. Voting out people who fail to represent your interests will leave politicians just as afraid of Midterms as you are before an exam or performance review. We can hold politicians responsible for abandoning the class of office by making them start from the beginning lest they become complacent.

The Government’s Midterm Grade

By: Levitt Lin