Get Involved in the 2020 Election
Written by Ellie McMurtrie
With the 2020 election looming over campus, Boston, and the entire country, you’ll often hear people debating politics in line at Dunkin’ or campaigning outside of Marino for a candidate you may have never heard of. Sometimes it can feel like everyone but you knows what’s going on in the election and, at this point, many people choose not to ask questions for fear of sounding ignorant. With election day still a year out, there’s more than enough time to get involved. These are five simple ways I’ve learned to educate myself; they’re easier than you might think!
Read the News
This seems like an obvious one, but many people don’t know where to find their news, or which sources to read. It also can be hard to devote time to reading the news when many of us already have readings to do for classes or other work. We have to find ways to make reading the news a part of our daily routine. Spend a week perusing multiple outlets to find which one works best for you. Keep media bias in mind and try to find a few different sources that focus on different perspectives of each issue. One way I’ve learned to make reading the news as easy as possible is downloading a news app. Pushing this one step further, I moved my Instagram app into a folder and placed the news app in its old spot. That way, when I open my phone to get to Instagram, I’ll often click on the news app out of habit. This serves as a reminder that my time spent scrolling through social media can be used in a more productive way.
Take it one step at a time
Approaching this election can be intimidating given the number of democratic candidates and their various policy positions. When looking at all of this information at once, you may decide you’d rather know nothing than attempt to understand everything. Recognize that you probably will never understand all the topics at hand — nobody does. Instead, consume the information in bite sized portions. Podcasts like “The Candidates with Bret Baier” from Fox News or “2020 Election: Meet the Candidates” with British political scientists Paul Duddridge, focus each episode on one specific candidate and unpack everything about them — from their personal background to their policy positions. Political podcasts are a great way to educate yourself if you feel like you don’t have enough time to read the news, as you can listen to them on your walk to class or while you’re doing work.
Use Your Resources on Campus
Many students at Northeastern have devoted their time to studying politics and they’re constantly looking to share this knowledge with students who will listen. Though it can be intimidating at first, a great way to learn more about the election from a student's perspective is by going to a political club meeting that aligns with your interests. Some of the clubs are large collections of students, like Northeastern Democrats and Northeastern Republicans, or more specifically based on candidates like Huskies for Bernie. Try out a few different communities until you find a group of people that you agree with most. Another good place to start is by reading the Northeastern Political Review, a student publication on campus. Knowing the opinions of your peers can help you determine which issues most affect our community.
Get Involved in Boston
Take advantage of our location in one of the most politically active cities in the United States by participating in marches or going to rallies. Last April, I attended a rally for a democratic candidate in the Boston Commons. Seeing this candidate in person and hearing the way they spoke gave me an entirely different understanding of them that I would not have experienced through watching them speak in a debate or reading about them in the news. Being a part of a political community helps put the issues into perspective, serving as a reminder that the election is not just taking place in D.C, but has its influence in our own backyards. Even after the election, being a part of local politics is one of the easiest ways to impact the policy that directly affects you, making it a great way to ensure your voice is heard.
Talk to Each Other
The days of political discussions being deemed “rude” are over. Today, it is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged to facilitate open dialogues about politics in this country. It can be easy, however, to talk exclusively to your friends about these issues as you often agree with one another. Remember to listen and speak to everyone, regardless of their political standing. Different perspectives will only enhance your understanding of the election as a whole, strengthening your overall knowledge. That being said, never be afraid to stand up for your beliefs, regardless of who you’re speaking to or what their opinions may be.
This divisive time in American politics has left many people feeling confused and hopeless in understanding the upcoming election. Being at Northeastern, however, we are in a community of intelligent people who, with a little bit of effort and open discussion, are capable of making an impact on the future of this country. It may feel like an impossible effort, but if everyone becomes more involved in politics, we’ll all be more represented. Inform yourself and exercise your right to vote in 2020!
