CR's May 1, 2026 Times Standard Article—Voting Matters!
Published on Apr 29 2026Happy May Day! This is a special time of the year when we celebrate the return of spring and herald the end of the academic year, as we honor our graduates in several commencement ceremonies. This is also a time when College of the Redwoods' students elect student government leaders and a new student member for the Board of Trustees.
I recently had a conversation with a student who was running for President of the Associated Students of College of the Redwoods (ASCR). I was very impressed with his enthusiasm and willingness to talk with each student and help them understand how critical it is for all students to stay engaged in the voting process to effect change. Although I know how important student representation is to the operations of the institution, listening to him speak made me realize that many students and staff are not aware of how important student government is to the College’s vitality.
I know that student elections do not garner the same amount of attention as our national or state elections. However, I believe it worthwhile to highlight the strategic importance of student leadership in college governance. Not only does it ensure that students have a voice in the direction of the College, but it also cultivates a sense of civic responsibility and engagement that will influence how our students show up in their communities and in the world. As we listen to them and try to understand their concerns, we must let their voice shape how we adapt our work to meet the needs of the next generation of leaders.
Under the expert guidance of ASCR advisor Stephanie Freyermuth, our student leaders gain valuable management skills. They oversee student activity fee revenue , vote on how those funds are allocated, and ensure adherence to strict budgetary guidelines and transparent financial reporting. They advocate for student rights, amplify student voices, enhance campus life, and play an indispensable role in shaping student experiences. They empower students to become active, informed, and responsible members of society.
ASCR is not the only body that cultivates student leadership. CR’s Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of including student voices in institutional governance by having a student trustee serve on the Board. The student trustee is entitled to participate in all board discussions, cast an advisory vote on all action items, and receive all open session materials provided to our community-elected members of the Board.
The Board of Trustees and I understand that the enduring lessons that our student leaders learn at CR will follow them through graduation and beyond. We believe that our students will be future political organizers, poll workers, politicians, and community activists.
We also believe that our role as educators is to help all students understand that their voices have always been and will always be important to the health of our democracy. This is why it is important that CR continues to be a place where all students feel empowered to vote.
I know that election apathy extends beyond our students and it is easy to understand why many in the US believe that their votes do not matter, but we must push back on that idea and encourage everyone to register and vote. At this time, when voting rights are under threat, we cannot afford to sit out. We must remember that when we do not vote, we give our power away.
With the 2026 midterm election on the horizon, we are heading into a potentially contentious and stressful period. Midterms deserve special attention because voter turnout drops sharply compared to presidential years. The 2022 midterms drew only about 52% of eligible voters, compared to 65% in the 2024 presidential race. That gap means midterm results are disproportionately shaped by the voters who turn out, and midterm Congresses pass just as many consequential laws as any other.
All 435 House seats and about one-third of the U.S. Senate seats will be on the ballot, determining the composition of the 120th Congress that takes office in January 2027. As we have seen over the past several years, the makeup of the US Congress has far-reaching implications for all of us.
Over the next several months, we will hear from political activists and news organizations making the case for why our votes are important and essential. The truth is this: our democracy only works if we vote. History shows us that voting matters more than we think.
I encourage everyone to register; to take advantage of our rights as U.S. citizens; to influence the policy and direction our nation takes; and to vote.
To learn more about the June 2, 2026 statewide primary election, see the Humboldt County Voter Information Guide: www.humboldtgov.org/elections .