Midterm elections are an often overlooked part of our democracy, with lower voter turnout and less media fanfare. While presidential elections tend to steal the spotlight, engaging with the plethora of local, state and national issues and races on the 2022 ballot is crucial to affect change. This year, Berkeley voters will have a chance to weigh in on protecting access to abortion, California’s next governor, local officials and housing policies, Congressional representatives and more.
In this pivotal time with our democracy faltering, The Daily Californian wishes to reaffirm that voting is not only a right, but a privilege; we understand that not everyone has the ability to vote. Still, it is important to stay educated on the issues at stake and for those of us who can, use our voice for change. Our staffers discuss navigating misinformation, their experience engaging in activism and the power of young voters. Together, we hope these perspectives encourage you to take an active role in the political process, starting with casting your ballot this Tuesday.
Power in democratic engagement
The crowd was peppered (jalapeñoed?) with these green stickers, green bandanas, green posters, and suddenly our homegrown rally was marked as being a part of something bigger than ourselves, and that fact was not reassuring.
— Chrissa Olson
2022 midterm elections: Navigating what’s at stake
Midterm elections might not determine the next president of the United States, but the upcoming elections still have a lot at stake for voters everywhere.
— Adriana Temprano
‘Only as good as its sample’: Polls guide candidates, mislead voters
— Maria Young
What’s more American than voting?
— Aarthi Muthukumar
‘Pushed out of existence’: UC Berkeley professors, students discuss Equal Rights Amendment
— Sandhya Ganesan
Reasons you should vote in local elections
Whether you’re legally able to vote for the first time this year or have been already doing so, local elections are a chance to have your voice heard. And you may wonder how an echo is supposed to carry all the way to Washington, but here are the reasons why you should vote in your local elections.
— Heidy Paniagua
How to vote during this year’s election
— Molly Cochran
Engaging in activism, politics in a nonperformative way
— Amrita Bhasin
Regarding power of millennial, Gen Z voters
— Sabrina Miranda
‘Uncharted territory’: Media’s impact on American politics, elections
— Maya Jimenez
Elections through a looking glass
— Maria Kholodova
‘Fighting the same battle over and over again’: A history of women’s suffrage in California
— Ananya Rupanagunta
Uniting your ballot with your voice
When you cast your ballot, make sure you share your voice. As you share your voice, make sure you are the one speaking.
— Michael Temprano
‘Fortify women’s right to privacy’: Vote yes on Prop 1
In November, California constituents will vote on Proposition 1, which would enshrine reproductive rights in the California constitution. Prop. 1 is necessary to protect freedom of choice and prevent further wrongful infringements on women’s rights.
— Eleanor Jonas
Political rom-com movies, book to distress for election day
— Harol Guerra
Banning vapes, by a nicotine addict
Essentially, if prohibition worked, it already would have. In my eyes, that logic is dangerously misguided, because, well, it never stopped me.
— Luke Stiles
‘Just sayin’: A glimpse into City Council members’ most iconic tweets
— Aditya Katewa
Using your climate anxiety: Voting for environmental justice
Take your right to vote and use it to emphatically show that we will not let global warming and environmental justice be sidelined by the government.
— Zoe Campion
Republicans may take Congress: What happens next?
With the Democrats currently in control of both chambers of Congress and the White House, the finger of public opinion is pointed at their leadership and the fiscal policies they enacted within two years.
— Ethan Kim
