With a crippled economy, a baby formula shortage, and a crisis at the border, a lot is at stake in the upcoming midterm elections. Politicians always blabber about unprecedented times, and—for once— the politicians are correct. Inflation rates are the highest they have been in the last 40 years. Americans are worried about gas prices at the pump, food prices in the grocery store, and even candy prices for Halloween treats. It is no secret that America is struggling.
Thankfully, election day is less than a month away, and the American public has the ability to recall the disastrous leadership of the Democrats and vote for change in Washington and statewide.
Hillsdale College students also have the chance to make our mark by voting and volunteering. A lot is at stake, and election day is a big day for students to vote and be involved. For these reasons, Hillsdale College students should have election day off.
While our votes alone will not change the direction of the country, we should do our part and fulfill our civic obligations.
Not only is Michigan a battleground state, but Proposition 3 also offers a significant threat to the sanctity of life in this state.
According to the Hillsdale College profile, 30% of the student body is from Michigan. This is not a large number; however, it is still something, and these students should be able to go home to vote on election day.
Early and absentee voting are valid arguments against this, but sometimes students don’t have time on weekends to get home or don’t trust that their ballot will be safe in the mail. Personally, I don’t love my information in the mail. My ballot is my own ballot. I don’t feel all that comfortable shipping my ballot from my home state to the college: anything can happen while it is in transit. I am not suggesting that voting by mail is bad, but a certain degree of concern and caution are warranted.
In addition to this, Hillsdale is a college. The end of October is madness for everyone, with midterm season, Parents Weekend, and other obligations.
By having the day off, the college would be making an intentional statement by showing that voting in person is a priority, especially for students who live close enough.
In addition to Michigan students, there are several students who live in neighboring states, such as the battleground state of Ohio, that would be able to go home to fulfill their civic obligations.
For those who do not live close enough, the case can still be made. Hillsdale College is known for politics. The Princeton Review ranks Hillsdale College as 15th in the nation for most politically active students.
With a close governor’s race (according to RealClearPolitics, the averages from all of the Michigan polls puts a 3.1% difference between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her opponent, Tudor Dixon) and the right to life for the unborn on the line, students should be allowed to go out and volunteer. Canceling classes would allow students to get involved and help campaigns or other organizations.
It is one day, but the consequences are grave and influential for many years to come.
No matter if one student votes or volunteers or the whole campus does, it is more about the message than the quantity. Hillsdale College is a beacon of liberty and freedom. Let’s live up to that by partaking in our civic duties and doing our part to make the country a better place.
