Often, election weeks create a breeding ground for heightened online tension. It can be healthy to avoid social media and keep strictly to objective news sources, avoiding binging on overly upsetting responses. While I have certainly seen the usual arguing online, it was certain positive responses that stood out to me. Particularly, a joke pattern in several comment sections I came across discussing Zohran Mamdani’s victory: “That’s my mayor! (I’m not from New York)”.
Certainly, there’s been a noticeable nationwide spotlight on what is, on paper, a local election. And while Mamdani’s win in particular has broader implications and sets certain precedents which garner it attention, it is always refreshing to see such care paid to local elections.
Virginia’s ballot has also received its fair share of nationwide headlines as Abigail Spanberger was elected the first female governor of Virginia, and Ghazala Hashmi became the first Muslim woman elected to a statewide office, winning the race for lieutenant governor. As such our state contributed greatly to what is being labelled a sweep for Democrats. This sweep comes amidst a year that has been marked strongly by an American descent into conservatism.
The refutation of that descent shown by this round of elections exemplifies one of the many vitally important aspects of local and statewide elections. At a base level, local and statewide positions are those that often have a much more direct effect on the individual’s day-to-day life. On a deeper level, however, these elections help create shifts for groups left marginalized by nationwide elections.
The reason for this is vital to understand: your vote counts for more in local elections. With a smaller population being polled, it takes far fewer to turn results. It can be challenging to vote as a college student, especially if you’re voting out of state or if you’re a new voter. I hope that this election can stand as a reminder to us, however, that having our voices be heard is worth the challenge, every time.
Maggie Raker
Opinion Editor
