DEAR EDITOR:

Can we please start talking about the 2018 California midterms? In a little over six months, California voters will head to the polls and cast votes for governor, a senator, and 53 U.S. House of Representative seats. Yet, in recent volumes of the LMC Experience, there hasn’t been even the slightest mention of this.

I don’t think I should have to stress the importance of voting, but it seems LMC needs a reminder. The 2020 presidential election will be the first election where millennial voters will outnumber baby boomers and have the potential to shape our government for the next 30 to 40 years. This is undeniably significant. Millennials represent a substantial voting population at LMC, but so far, crickets from the school paper about this crucial midterm.

This is LMC’s opportunity to start spreading the word about voting and how to register. For a state with 38 million people and only two senators, we’re already at a disadvantage, which makes the decision of who we elect so critical. California is at the front-line of some relevant issues such as immigration, technology and climate change. Who we vote to represent us will be our voices in Congress shaping future policy decisions. This will no doubt have lasting impacts on the direction of our state in the coming years.

No matter our political affiliations or leanings, our vote is our voice. It is our opportunity to affect change. It is at the ballot box where we, as everyday citizens, come together and hand down our judgments on the performance our delegates. I hope this letter is a call to action. I think it would be meaningful for the Experience to write bios on some of the candidates running in this election, and maybe talk about what they stand for or hope to achieve if elected.

Also, including information about how to register would be worthwhile, as this isn’t always given knowledge. Let’s start getting the word out!

— Elizabeth McLaurin