By Nicole Fernandez | Staff Writer

With the upcoming election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, political talks have been popping up on campus. This midterm election won’t decide the president (that’ll happen in 2020), but it will determine a number of races in the state of Hawaiʻi. 

“Since he or she is Hawaiʻi’s top-ranking official, it is especially important to elect someone we trust,” said one Math professor about the race for governor.

The election will also determine state legislative. In 2016, Democrats had all 25 seats, making Hawai‘i the only state in which one party had complete control in its legislature.

Congress is also up for changes in this election, which will determine which party will have majority for the next two years. Currently, Republicans hold that spot with 51 of 100 members in the Senate and 235 of 435 members in the House of Representatives.

However, despite being registered, several students are planning on not voting. Many blame the recent political controversies for their disinterest.

“It’s the same constant [outcome] that happens, no one really gets what they want,” said a 19-year-old Nursing student who asked that her name be withheld from the story. She does not plan on voting because of this.

Others blame the hecticness of college.

“We are a generation that constantly has to multitask, so we tend not to care as much about election, I think,” said a 20-year-old Liberal Arts student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. He also is not going to vote.

However, all agree that voting is important.

“Voting allows everyone to … make an impact and if you want things to change, you have to go,” said a 28-year-old Business major who is planning on voting. “You have to do something about it.” 

Overall, Hawai‘i as a whole is dominated by Democrats. In the 2016 presidential election, 62.2 percent of Hawai‘i voters voted for Hillary Clinton, winning her Hawai‘i’s four electoral votes. Three out of 10 voters picked Donald Trump, and only 7.8 percent voted for the other parties and their candidates. Several people believe that should change.

“I am all in favor of voting third party, especially if the candidate’s views more closely match my own,” said the math professor. “In my opinion, this nation is becoming more divided due to the polarizing views of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. I think it is time for another viewpoint to be heard.”

Election Day will be a state holiday next Tuesday, which means no school. If you want to vote but have not registered, you can register in person at the voting polls. If you do not want to drive to the poll, you can request and send in an absentee ballot. For more information, visit the official Office of Elections website.