This Midterm Election Matters for Us Too

When people think of midterms, it’s usually accompanied with dread and loathing. But the election kind—happening on November 8th this year—actually has much more riding on it than people think. This midterm will see hundreds of Senate, House, governor, and state legislature races on the ballot - all with dramatic consequences, national and local. Here’s how this election will matter for us:

Climate Change

Under President Biden and the Democratic party’s legislative majorities in Congress, hundreds of billions of climate investments were passed as part of the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act). But if Republicans take control of Congress, all federal climate action could come to a stop - leaving states to shoulder much of the burden for reducing carbon emissions. Without further climate legislation, the possibility of keeping temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius would slip away, putting much of the world’s population at risk for more severe climate events, and our future in doubt. As the recent climate change protests at NHS show, young people are energized about climate - but only this election will decide whether we continue making progress. If Democrats keep congress, further subsidies, investments, and regulations could be on the table - truly pushing the U.S. towards a green revolution.

Access to Abortion

With the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe vs. Wade, millions of women have been left without access to safe reproductive care. Although most Democrats are willing to protect abortion rights, the opposition of two senators - Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema - to remove the filibuster and pass protections with just 50 votes means no action has yet been taken. This election will decide whether Democrats are able to expand their majority in the Senate and keep the House - and if they do, President Biden has committed himself to codifying Roe vs. Wade, and restoring the right to a safe and legal abortion in all states. Studies show that young women are especially affected by abortion laws - and with many students about to entering adulthood in the next few years, this election could be impactful down the road. Even though New York has protected abortion rights within its constitution, a national ban could rip that away - and Republicans in Congress are gearing up to do just that if they take power in government.

LGBTQ Rights

According to the Williams Institute, nearly 10% of students aged 13-17 identified as LGBTQ in 2020 - and this share is likely to rise. But nationally, LGBTQ rights are under attack - although gay marriage is likely to be codified into law later this year, across the country, Republicans are passing laws to limit LGBTQ education, trans athletes in sports, and gender-affirming care for minors. If Republicans gain control of more state legislatures, these measures could spread - and even reach the national level if Republicans get full control of the government in 2024. Whether or not that happens has huge consequences for those in the LGBTQ community - and would affect a significant segment of our student body. This year’s election will have effects up and down the ballot for LGBTQ rights and expression - from the national level all the way down to the school board.

Education 

While education isn’t the most pressing issue in this election, it has a disproportionate impact on students like us. In 2020, Biden ran on creating free two-year community college - and although it was included in his policy plans, it was left on the cutting board as his signature policy proposal, Build Back Better, shrunk. If Democrats keep their majorities, Biden may get another go at it - with huge financial consequences for those of us looking at entering community college after high school. And for those who will go to a more expensive college, this year’s election will also decide whether Biden can gain legislative support for further student debt cancellation, and other measures which will help future borrowers pay back their loans more quickly and more easily than before. On the state level, millions of dollars in Niskayuna funding are up in the air as Democrats seek to expand public school funding while Republicans are looking to promote school vouchers and religious schools. Whoever rules the roost in Albany this year will have enormous influence over the degree to which Niskayuna can fund new programs, new equipment, and new clubs - all of which have a big impact on our quality of life.  

Despite low awareness within our school community, the midterm elections coming up on November 8th will be massive in deciding the course for our future. If you can vote, vote, and if you can’t, encourage the adults in your life to vote this year. Together, we can use our voices to spread positive change - and the midterm elections will be a key part of making that happen.