Henry Abbott

It’s easy to feel apathetic about the current state of American politics. It’s easy to throw your hands up and dismiss nuanced issues. It’s easy to give way to indifference. But this fall, Bowdoin Votes is challenging you to do the hard thing: Don’t let apathy win.

As college students, we face complex political issues every day, both in and out of the classroom. It is difficult to remain engaged and informed about all of these unfolding issues. And, let’s be real: It is easy to feel hopeless, or even cynical. But we encourage you to fight back with hope. Hope isn’t naive, it’s a tool for change.

With the onslaught of distressing events, it’s normal to feel like we don’t have the power to make change. But we do have that power, and most of us gained it only recently.

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Vote for the people who fought for your right to do so.

Vote for the people who couldn’t vote, and vote for the people who still can’t vote.

Make the practice of voting a part of your identity by voting consistently from a young age. While voter turnout among college-aged individuals tends to be lower than other age groups, we can change that. Be someone who is civically engaged. Fight for your communities. Don’t let your voice go unheard. Stand up for what you believe in. Be that person this fall so you are more likely to be that person for the rest of your life.

The choice to not participate in the election is not a means of rejecting “the system.” It is a choice to let other people speak for you.

In 2020, Bowdoin had the highest undergraduate voter turnout rate in the nation. And yet, some numbers still leave room for improvement. Data from the National Study of Voting, Learning, and Engagement tells us that while 89% of eligible white students voted, only 71% of eligible Black students voted. Additionally, 78% of eligible Asian students voted, and 79% of eligible Hispanic students voted. These numbers only tell part of the story, but it’s a story we want to change.

If you plan on voting absentee in your home state:

– Keep an eye on ballot request deadlines and request your ballot if you have not already.

– Make sure to mail your completed ballot back by the required dates.

– Reach out to Bowdoin Votes if you need any assistance.

If you plan on voting in Brunswick:

– Remember that Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.

– Be conscious of your Tuesday schedule and identify a 30-minute time slot to dedicate to voting (or vote early during one of the Stroll to the Polls time slots on the Bowdoin Votes website).

– Ride to the polls in a Bowdoin Votes van. Vans will pick students up at Moulton Circle every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.

– Reach out to Bowdoin Votes if you need any assistance.

Regardless of where you choose to vote, take some time to learn about your state and local candidates, their policies and any ballot questions.

Your vote is your voice. Don’t let anyone else speak for you.

Ellen Salovaara ’26, Eden Zumbrun ’26 and Rebekah Kim ’25 are are members of Bowdoin Votes.