Editorial: Beyond the Ballot Box

Campus has seen a flurry of activity over the course of the 2024 election season. From debate watch parties, to ACVotes tables in Val, to student groups’ canvassing and phone banking efforts, the college’s attention has been undeniably drawn towards the presidential race. As the election approaches, different college departments now offer mental health and spiritual resources (such as Election Night Tea, Cookies, and Company, hosted by Religious & Spiritual Life; a vigil, hosted by Rabbi Shahar Colt; “Sharing Anxiety about the U.S. Elections” restorative circles hosted by the Center for Restorative Practices; and even more specialized Center for Counseling and Mental Health offerings) to cope with election anxiety.

Beyond voting, many students feel that they want to do something more — especially students who don’t live in swing states, whose votes can feel less impactful. Some students’ citizenship status precludes them from voting entirely. Although we can’t underestimate the importance of voting, we also have to think beyond the ballot box.

It’s easy, as the college has acknowledged, to feel anxious, depressed, and powerless about such a momentous election where the stakes are incredibly high. It’s not just typical election stress — when one of the candidates has attempted to violently overturn the previous election, we know that American democracy is at stake. Those worries often manifest themselves on the individual level, and without a collective expression of our anxieties, we can often feel alone. If we can channel these anxieties into a collective energy for change, we can prove to be more powerful.

The Student recognizes the benefit of mental health advice for dealing with the stress that the election provides — particularly for marginalized students, who have the most on the line should Trump become president. But while individualized mental health relief efforts can be helpful, we must also look towards collective action as a balm for stress.

We hope to provide some action items for students on Election Day and the uncertain days that might follow.

1. Contact voters on Election Day to help them cast their ballots. If you’re feeling nervous, channel that energy into get-out-the-vote efforts, which are still important on the day votes are cast. You can easily sign up via the websites of local and national campaigns and organizations you support, or peruse Mobilize for opportunities. Even an hour of calling can connect you with dozens of voters who may need support in navigating voter suppression and confusing laws, getting a ride to the polls, or even just finding their polling location.
2. Go beyond voting and get involved in your community full-time. Whether it be through volunteering, protesting, or mutual aid; there are countless ways to get involved in creating a more just world outside the narrow purview of ticking boxes for candidates in a two-party system.
3. Use January as an opportunity to get involved. If you’re looking for something to do during the long stretch of winter break, the transitional period between one president to the next can give you that opportunity.
4. Get (or remain) involved in local elections. Change doesn’t happen exclusively on the national level, but also in state, regional, and local elections. Research local candidates to make an informed choice about who can best serve and represent your community.
5. Write letters to local and national representatives to ensure that your voice is heard outside of the election cycle. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) provides advice on how to effectively write to your representatives, and the website for the House of Representatives has a “find your representative” tool that uses your zip code to identify your elected official.
6. Engage in healthy discourse with family, friends, and peers who have different perspectives. It’s important to remember that people you disagree with are still human beings whose perspectives are informed by their experiences, and understanding a diverse range of opinions is helpful for your own development and for fostering a healthier community.

Ultimately, Election Day 2024 is not just the end of an era, but the beginning of a new one — a fresh opportunity to begin building the country we want for ourselves and for future generations. So many Amherst students care deeply about this election, and our collective investment shows that we have the opportunity to create meaningful change. We have the potential to build something better.

Unsigned editorials represent the views of the majority of the Editorial Board — (assenting: 13; dissenting: 0; abstaining: 1)