{"id":3059,"date":"2022-11-03T09:37:03","date_gmt":"2022-11-03T13:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/?p=3059"},"modified":"2025-10-01T15:13:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T19:13:34","slug":"why-i-vote-2022-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/2022\/11\/why-i-vote-2022-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I Vote: 2022 Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 2022 midterm elections are just around the corner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In college, we think of &#8220;midterms&#8221; more in relation to our exam schedule than in politics. But the &#8220;midterm&#8221; election isn&#8217;t a test -it just means we&#8217;re halfway through the current presidency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A third of U.S. senate seats are up for election, as are <em>all<\/em> 435 House of Representative seats. Add in the state and local officials and other ballot issues&#8230; midterms are a big deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Use your voice. It&#8217;s important for so many reasons. In fact, we worked with the Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service to ask student leaders around campus to weigh in on why THEY vote. They&#8217;ve made the choice to vote and we hope you do too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out a few voting resources at the end of this post!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:36% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Mollie Duffy in Washington DC\" class=\"wp-image-3074 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-600x800.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Mollie-Duffy-2-scaled.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I vote as an example to the rest of Gen-Z to stay educated on the issues that impact our generation and to use the increasing size of our voting population as representation that our issues matter in government.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mollie Duffy<\/strong><br><em>Fellow, Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 36%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;I vote to ensure this right is continually guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of their beliefs, party, gender, race, age, precinct, or state.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cameron Tiefenthaler<\/strong><br><em>Secretary for Governmental Relations, ASG<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cameron Tiefenthaler holding a badge with her name that says Election Official.\" class=\"wp-image-3066 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-600x800.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Cameron-Tiefenthaler-1-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">_______<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">I vote because my AP government teacher told me if you choose not to vote, you don&#8217;t get to complain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Anthony Bennett<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><em>SEAL Ambassador, MAP member<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>_______<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:31% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"609\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554-609x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cathleen McLaughlin\" class=\"wp-image-3085 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554-609x1024.jpg 609w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554-178x300.jpg 178w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554-768x1292.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554-600x1009.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554-913x1536.jpg 913w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/11\/McLaughlinVotingPicture-scaled-e1667481918554.jpg 947w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 609px) 100vw, 609px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;I vote because it is a privilege that is essential to a well-functioning democracy and a valuable exercise of civic engagement that so many have sacrificed for.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fostering progress in our communities requires individual participation at all levels\u2014federal, state, and local.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I vote so that the needs of my community are addressed by those in public office.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I vote for a better present and a brighter future, and these objectives require an empowered citizenry that is devoted to advocacy as well as promoting the role of participation in lifting ALL voices.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Cathleen McLaughlin<\/strong><br><em>Secretary for Academic Affairs, ASG<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">_______<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&#8220;I vote because I want to participate in my civic duty!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Margeaux Harding<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><em>President, MAP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>_______<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 38%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;I vote because I know that each individual vote counts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I vote because we cannot make change without every person voting and the only way we will progress as a county is to ensure all voices are heard.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Nikki Lescano<\/strong><br><em>President, Multicultural Greek Council<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"742\" height=\"982\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/nikki-lescano.png\" alt=\"Nikki Lescano in a greek letter jacket in front of central quad\" class=\"wp-image-3064 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/nikki-lescano.png 742w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/nikki-lescano-227x300.png 227w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/nikki-lescano-600x794.png 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 742px) 100vw, 742px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">_______<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&#8220;To me voting is a crucial step in fighting towards the goals and changes that you wish to see in your county, community, and city. Although there are a vast number of opportunities that enable one to help create those changes, write up legislations, and advocate for groups of people, in the end all of those decisions and changes undergo voting procedures that determine its\u2019 effectiveness and implications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">As always if you want to see the representation you either have to step up and be that representation or you need to vote and in turn support those who are working towards creating progressive changes and bringing a voice to communities across the nation.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Sevara Ubaydullaeva<br><\/strong><em>President, Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Incorporated, <\/em><br><em>Executive Vice President, <\/em><em>Multicultural Greek Council&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>_______<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:38% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/annabel-vale-mollie-grace-BoE-inside-768x1024.png\" alt=\"Annabel DeChant in a group of women in front of a backdrop with voting and flag images\" class=\"wp-image-3069 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/annabel-vale-mollie-grace-BoE-inside-768x1024.png 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/annabel-vale-mollie-grace-BoE-inside-225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/annabel-vale-mollie-grace-BoE-inside-600x800.png 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/annabel-vale-mollie-grace-BoE-inside-1152x1536.png 1152w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/annabel-vale-mollie-grace-BoE-inside-1536x2048.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;I vote because I think that it\u2019s important for people to have their voices heard and that we can make positive impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I care about the issues and believe voting is an important part of being a citizen.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Annabel DeChant<\/strong><br><em>Fellow, Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">_______<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&#8220;I vote because I want to exercise my rights and I believe that everyone should. I also care about the future of our country and how our rights should be expressed for all citizens.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Sriya Kakarala<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><em>Director of Series Events, MAP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>_______<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 38%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;Voting is an important matter because representation matters for our local community and for our nation as well. I&#8217;m making sure I&#8217;m represented as a black woman in our elected officials.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gabbi Purnell<br><em>President, Black Leadership Coalition, Secretary for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"706\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell-706x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Gabbi Purnell in front of a wall of red bricks\" class=\"wp-image-3062 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell-706x1024.jpg 706w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell-207x300.jpg 207w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell-768x1114.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell-600x870.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell-1059x1536.jpg 1059w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Gabbi-Purnell.jpg 1284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">_______<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&#8220;I vote because it&#8217;s important to use my voice to elect leaders <br>who will enact the change I want to see.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Kenzi Lee<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><em>President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>_______<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:38% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Valeri-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Valeri Hernandez Godinez in front of a large beveled Miami M\" class=\"wp-image-3063 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Valeri-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Valeri-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Valeri-600x800.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Valeri-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Valeri.jpeg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;Voting is a right and privilege and women and people of color did not always have this privilege. I vote for those who do not have a voice.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Valeri Hernandez Godinez<\/strong><br><em>Fellow, Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">_______<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&#8220;I vote because it lets me express my voice in how this nation, state, and city is run. As soon as I stop, it risks all that I care about and I would rather vote and lose than be passive.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ian Rose<\/strong><strong><br><\/strong><em>Director of Collaborations, MAP<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>_______<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 39%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>&#8220;I vote not only because my own identities depend on it but also for the many other identities and groups that our society overlooks. I vote because I recognize the power of my voice!&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Nyah Smith<\/strong><br><em>Head Seal Ambassador, Center for Student Engagement, Activities, and Leadership<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"654\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith-654x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Nyah Smith giving the peace sign\" class=\"wp-image-3061 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith-654x1024.jpg 654w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith-192x300.jpg 192w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith-768x1202.jpg 768w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith-600x939.jpg 600w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith-981x1536.jpg 981w, https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/files\/2022\/10\/Nyah-Smith.jpg 1179w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Voting Absentee?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Students can stop by ASC 2018 to&nbsp;get a free stamp and envelope for their absentee ballot \/ absentee ballot request form.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Election Day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wilks Institute for Leadership and Service is hosting a party at the polls on election day at Marcum, 3-6 p.m. with free food,&nbsp;giveaways, and of course, election resources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2022 midterm elections are just around the corner. In college, we think of &#8220;midterms&#8221; more in relation to our exam schedule than in politics. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1679,"featured_media":3066,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_s2mail":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3059","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-professional-development"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3059"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3059\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3317,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3059\/revisions\/3317"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3059"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3059"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/student-life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}