A little under four years ago, we endured the most blatant attempt to overthrow a presidential election in the history of the United States. Only a few of the current students at Brown were old enough to vote in that election; most of us were merely observers. But now, as election day comes crashing towards us, every single American student eligible to vote takes up the responsibility. We have seen the freedom to vote come under direct attack and witnessed the precarity of our democratic institutions — it is now more important than ever to protect them through participation.
It is no secret that turnout among young voters is lacking. The editorial page board voiced this same concern last presidential election. It is estimated that in the last presidential election youth voter turnout was 50%. While this implies a weak showing for youth voters, you’ll be surprised to hear that the 2020 election marked the third-highest turnout of young voters since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1971. The presidential election is most consequential for the nation's youth, and yet only half of us are willing to show up to the polls. At Brown, barriers to voting are relieved by a robust effort to encourage voting by campus organizations such as Brown Votes. It is our responsibility to take advantage of our access to the ballot and set an example for other young people across the country.
On practically every policy front, this election is especially significant for young people. Any economic decisions are particularly impactful as many of us graduate and enter the workforce The future of climate policy — although it has often received inadequate coverage in this year’s campaigns — will become the defining issue of our generation as the consequences of global warming grow more dire. The patchwork of abortion laws in a post-Dobbs America continues to undermine young women’s autonomy and healthcare — a terrifying prospect for young women facing state referendums on reproductive rights. Pressing foreign conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas war , will undoubtedly be shaped by American foreign policy in the coming years. And down-ballot races in our home states provide the opportunity to weigh in on local issues of interest to our friends and family. There is too much at stake to opt out now.
While most Brown students will hopefully be casting their ballots by Nov. 5, 14% of the undergraduate population are international students who are ineligible to vote. While the results of this election may not seem immediately relevant to international students, results can have impacts on their home countries through foreign policy decisions and also on immigration, particularly relevant for the students who seek to remain in the U.S. post graduation. But voting is not the only way to engage with this election. Students can still join groups like Brown Votes, participate in phone banks for national or Rhode Island candidates, or engage with the political volunteer efforts on campus. Plus, U.S. citizens studying abroad can also cast their votes.
In the whirl of student life, when days so often begin and end on College Hill, it can be difficult to situate ourselves in headlines about national, or even local politics.Between cramming for exams, attending club meetings, eating at the Ratty, studying at the Hay and caffeinating at the Blue Room, we want to take a moment to recognize the importance of this election as a community. For most of us, this is the only presidential election that we will ever experience as Brown students. Whatever its outcome, we are responsible for using our civic voice and shaping it ourselves.
Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial page board and aim to contribute informed opinions to campus debates while remaining mindful of the group’s past stances. The editorial page board and its views are separate from The Herald’s newsroom and the 134th Editorial Board, which leads the paper. This editorial was written by the editorial page board’s members Paul Hudes ’27, Paulie Malherbe ’26,, Alissa Simon ’25, and Yael Wellisch ’26.
