I am someone who is usually politically informed or, at least, I like to believe that I  am. However, this election year has been atypical at best. I will openly say I have been so lost in everything else that I genuinely do not know who this year’s candidates are for this election. I find it to be a problem when people stay in this near frozen state of apathy, frenzy, ignorance or all of the above. 

As college students, we have the unique position of being the new generation of voters. We are able to cause actual social change, at least at a local level, even when it may seem impossible. The nights spent freezing, sweating, and screaming at protests are not behind us, but there are more options. According to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, Gen Z-ers voted at a higher rate than any other generation at their age. 

The news damages people’s attentivity and interest in political spheres, or it can cause a dramatic increase in interest, depending on the subject. The news impacts people’s perception and reactions to different topics, whether it be through podcasts, radio, social media, or television. 

At this point in time, I stress the “vote blue no matter who” approach to election time. There are no good Republicans in 2023. I am not saying that all left-leaning people are good, because that is far from the truth. I would not even try to justify that point. I am, however, saying that most Democratic candidates host a palpable amount of empathy towards the populations which conservative people indirectly or directly actively oppress through public policy. 

After further research, November 7 marks the Municipal Election in Pennsylvania. The last day to register to vote is October 23, which is only a little over a month away. I recommend anyone to register to vote or request their absentee ballot as soon as possible, as your vote still counts! To my out of state peers: I hope you are still able to enjoy the election season in Pittsburgh, although it might not affect you all of the time. 

The Municipal election largely deals with the governors, state representatives, senators, county and city officials, judges and magisterial district judges, the lieutenant governor, general assembly, the attorney general, the auditor general, and the state treasurer. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State Voting & Election Information, in odd-numbered years, there are no federal or state offices on the ballot. 

I recommend finding a few trust-worthy websites that are accessible to you, and using those to inform your decision for the 2023 election season. If you don’t find an outlet you enjoy, then you are not going to want to continue to learn about the political impact this may have on your friends, family, education, health, environment, or any other dynamic circumstance. 

We are all human. We all do brilliant and terrible things everyday, what is important is that we continue to make the world a better place through the power which we all hold in our lives.