Guest Column: Voting, the power we forget we have

By Colin Hastings

You’ve heard all the reasons you should vote before: Do it for your country, because it’s your civic right and responsibility, so your voice is heard, to make the changes you want to see. Yes, that is all true, and all are valid reasons to vote. But far too often, we feel unheard and see no changes. Far too often, even when we vote, we feel ignored. This year, in Utah’s municipal elections, I am not asking you to vote because it’s your right or duty as an American — I am asking you to vote so we can become too big to ignore.

I get it, a lot of us are fatigued after last year’s presidential election. After countless debates, ads on TV and fights with friends or family, getting involved politically so soon can be the last thing you want to do. However, this year’s municipal and local elections give us something different: a chance to step away from the chaos and culture wars of national politics and to focus on what shapes our daily lives. These local elections help us decide things about our housing, transportation and safety — the very things we use and pay for every single day.

I also understand feeling ignored and question what one vote is going to do. However, when we vote, and when we do it together, it becomes impossible for those currently in power, and those seeking it, to ignore us. For example, in 2023, two college students running for city council in Ithaca, New York campaigned directly to their fellow students, even listening to them and promising to extend quiet hours for parties. Both won their elections narrowly because of student turnout. In Alabama, a group of fraternity and sorority students called the Machine have become so big, they’re even known to influence local and statewide politics.

I won’t ask you to join a Greek organization or run for office yet, but I do want students to have our say and make our impact. It is worth remembering Utah State students make up a third of Logan’s population, enough to decide almost any local race we decide to weigh in on. When we show up, we are able to change outcomes and work towards achieving a city where students are the priority. For example, Logan currently allows only three unrelated people to live in one unit. However, if we were to vote for candidates open to raising that, we would be able to increase housing availability and lower rent prices for students across the city.

If you’re not registered to vote in Logan or are unsure how to get involved, reach out. As your student advocate vice president, my job is to get your concerns to our local and state government and get students civically engaged. Feel free to email me at studentadvocatevp.ususa@usu.edu or submit a MyVoice, which can be found under “Forms” in your MyUSU account.

To qualify for a mail-in ballot, make sure to register to vote at vote.utah.gov by Oct. 24. And remember, don’t vote just because it’s your civic duty. Vote because when we all vote, we can’t be ignored.

— studentadvocatevp.ususa@usu.edu