Blog Post #2 - Ariana Rodriguez

 The Elections Matter project was an interesting experience because it gave me the opportunity to learn more about different topics that are connected to elections and the decisions that affect our country. Each group was assigned a different topic, including the electorate and election process, education policies, the economy, and immigration policies. Although these topics are different, they all connect to the bigger picture of how elections influence our everyday lives. Overall, this project expanded my understanding of why elections matter and why it is important for people, especially young adults, to stay informed about what is happening around them.

My group was assigned the electorate and election process, and I genuinely enjoyed working on this topic. I felt very passionate about presenting it because elections are something that are happening in real time, and I think my group members would agree that it is an important topic to understand. We focused on explaining how elections work at the local, state, and federal levels, along with the voting process and why participating in elections is important. I think my group did an amazing job explaining the information and making it understandable. I could tell everyone put time and effort into researching their assigned sections because they were enthusiastic and knowledgeable when presenting. Compared to our first presentation, I also felt much more comfortable and relaxed speaking in front of the class. I think that having more experience and being familiar with the information helped me feel more confident. Overall, I was very happy with how our group presented, and I honestly don’t think there was anything that needed to be changed or improved.

Group 2 was assigned education policies, which is a topic that I personally find important because I am currently a college student. Education policies affect students in many different ways, including the cost of tuition, financial aid, school funding, and the opportunities available to students. Before this project, I understood that education was connected to politics, but I don’t think I fully considered just how much decisions made by elected officials can affect students and their futures. For example, policies surrounding financial aid and college affordability can make a huge difference for students who are trying to continue their education while also managing their personal and financial responsibilities. This made me realize that education policies are not just something that affects schools or teachers. They directly affect students like me, which is why it is important for young adults to pay attention to these issues. 

Group 3 was assigned the economy, which I believe is one of the most important issues to consider when voting. Economic decisions affect almost everyone, whether it is through inflation, the cost of groceries, housing, employment, or the overall cost of living. I think most people have noticed how expensive everyday necessities have become, and it is something that affects families regardless of their background. I believe the economy should be a major consideration for voters because the decisions made by elected officials can directly influence people’s financial situations and quality of life. As someone who is also beginning to work and become more financially independent, I recognize how important it is to understand the economy and how it can affect my future. I also think young adults should pay more attention to economic issues because these decisions can influence their ability to find jobs, afford housing, and build a stable future. This topic reminded me that voting is not just about choosing someone to represent us, but also about considering how their decisions could affect our everyday lives.

Group 4 was assigned immigration policies, which was probably one of the topics that felt the most personal to me. Growing up in a Cuban and Colombian family, immigration is an issue that I have always felt connected to in some way. I also think that the current situation surrounding immigration can be scary, especially for families who are directly affected by changing policies and uncertainty. It seems like things are becoming more difficult for many immigrants, and there is a lot of fear surrounding what the future might look like for them. My mother recently became a United States citizen, which brought a huge sense of relief to our family. Knowing that there are so many difficult situations happening to people who are not U.S. citizens makes me appreciate that milestone even more. This topic reminded me that immigration is not simply a political debate or a discussion about laws and policies. There are real people and families behind these issues, and the decisions made by elected officials can have a major impact on their lives. I believe it is important for voters to understand immigration policies and consider how they affect different communities.

The final presentation was done by the project managers, who provided an overall synopsis and evaluation of the Elections Matter project. Their role was to bring everything together by summarizing the work completed by the different groups and connecting the topics to the purpose of the project. I think this was an important part of the assignment because each group focused on a different issue, but all of those issues were connected through elections. Looking at the project as a whole helped show how many different areas of our lives can be influenced by the people we elect and the decisions they make. It also demonstrated why researching and understanding different issues is important before participating in elections.

Overall, the Elections Matter project changed and expanded the way I look at elections. Before this project, I understood that voting was important, but I don’t think I fully appreciated how many different aspects of our everyday lives are connected to the election process. Education, the economy, immigration, and many other issues can all be influenced by political decisions. One thing I especially took away from this project is how important it is for young adults and college students to become more involved and informed. Many young people may feel like politics and elections are something they don’t need to worry about yet, but I believe the opposite. The decisions being made today will affect our generation and the opportunities we have in the future. Even if someone is not interested in politics, understanding the issues that affect their community and country is still important. This project reminded me that elections are about more than just choosing who will be in office. They are also about the future we want to create and the voices we choose to represent us.