Midterm elections are taking place on Nov. 6, where 35 senators, all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 36 state governors, and dozens of local legislative officials are up for election. While turnout is normally low, many young people are expected to vote in the midterm elections, including many University of Wisconsin–La Crosse students. 

“I am voting. It’s important because we, as a young generation, it’s our job to handle our future. It’s in our hands. It’s important for college kids to vote because it impacts our future and children’s future,” said UWL sophomore, Arini Arsana. 

Midterm turnout is consistently 15 – 25 points lower than turnout in presidential years. As in other midterms, the biggest drop off was among voters under 40, yielding a much older, less diverse electorate, according to Nonprofit Vote. In the 2014 midterm elections, just under 37% of eligible voters turned out to vote, which is the lowest level of voter turnout seen in a midterm since World War II, according to Nonprofit Vote. 

Although, according to an ABC/Washington Post poll, Eighty percent of the pollsters said they are “certain to vote” or had already voted, up from 65 percent in the 2014 midterm. This midterm election has an increase of potential young voter turnout partly because they could have been stung by the 2016 presidential election, people now realizing that their generation could have made the difference in the outcome of the 2016 elections. Many young people just want their voices to be heard. 

“It’s important to vote because you should get your voice out there, especially nowadays to make sure you’re heard. It doesn’t matter if you’re rooting one side or not, it’s important to go voice your opinion,” said UWL Sophomore, Landon Kovach, who plans on voting on Nov. 6. 

According to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, 59 percent of registered voters say they want a “great deal” or “quite a bit” of change in direction from the way President Donald Trump has been leading the country, versus a combined 38 percent who want no change, not that much change or just some change. Although the president is not on the ballot, 31 percent said they plan to cast their vote to signal support for Trump, while 38 percent their vote will be cast to signal their opposition. 

The polls are open from 7:00am through 8:00pm, Nov. 6. Students that live on the UWL campus will be voting in the Bluffs Room on the second floor of the Student Union, people can also register to vote at the polls if they still have not done so yet. If you do not know your polling location visit MyVote Wisconsin for more information.