By Josh Buntin
The midterm elections are just around the corner, and students at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay (UWGB) are encouraged to get involved. This effort comes amid increasing political polarization and a lack of interest in engaging in elections.
The polarization is attributed to the current state of politics and the behavior of politicians who stir up division and create polarization, but also what types of media people consume and people simply not being as politically knowledgeable. The Fourth Estate spoke with political science professors at UWGB about these issues and student involvement in the midterm elections.
Dr. Alise Coen, a political science professor at UWGB, believes student involvement in elections is especially important. She cited large issues like climate change, education, minimum wage, and infrastructure investment as reasons students should be involved in elections, and if students were engaged, issues like these would receive more focus. Dr. Coen believes politicians of both parties would be more willing to compromise on these issues if they knew students were engaged. Dr. Coen also said, “Another reason it [student involvement] matters relates back to civic engagement as a core component in healthy consolidated democracies.”
Dr. David Helpap, another political science professor at UWGB, similarly said student involvement is important because of all the issues going on, citing climate change and education. Dr. Helpap believes students may not be engaged in elections because of how busy students get with their own lives, whether it be their studies or families. The fact that students move around a lot also plays a role in student engagement. In a state like Wisconsin, it is easy to register to vote because of the state’s same-day voter registration, where all you need is a valid photo identification. Additionally, students may not have the time to pay attention to politics.
Dr. Coen said that she encourages her students to get involved in elections by marking election days on the syllabus for her classes, and she connects students with resources on registering to vote. Coen also lets her students know when she learns about opportunities to volunteer in elections. Dr. Helpap believes everyone should get involved where they can get in any way they can, whether it be joining an interest group, volunteering, or simply “having a bumper sticker or a pin on their backpack.”
Student organizations at UWGB also play a role in engaging students in the electoral process. In addition to the professors in the political science program, the Fourth Estate also spoke with the leaders of the College Democrats on how they are working to increase student involvement in the election.
Carlyn Lowe and Rachel Bartell, co-leaders of the College Democrats, said the goal of their organization is they want to “involve students in the democratic process more and make them aware of how political decisions affect their lives.” They are working on getting students involved by giving them information on candidates and the deadlines for voting for both absentee voting and registering to vote. The College Democrats develop and distribute fact sheets on candidates to students on the UWGB candidates. The organization also wants to introduce them to candidates, both locally and statewide. Currently, the College Democrats are attempting to host Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Mandela Barnes, Rep. Kristina Shelton, and State Assembly candidate Hannah Beauchamp-Pope for an event on Nov. 7.
The UWGB College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences hosted a discussion panel on Monday, Oct. 17, titled “Overcoming Isolation: Improving Engagement in the Midterm Elections.” Drs. Coen and Helpap were on the panel, which consisted of three professors, including Dr. Aaron Weinschenk, the Ben J. And Joyce Rosenberg Professor of Political Science and Chair of Political Science at UWGB, and three students, Maria Aldana, Allison Geerdts, Connor Tenor, all majors in Political Science and Public Administration. The panel highlighted various issues which could contribute to polarization, such as the issues of division caused by politicians and the media people consume. They also highlighted that student engagement in elections is at a historic low, according to research done by the Pew Research Center.
Dr. Weinschenk cited data suggesting Congress is believed to be more ideologically polarized than any era in American history, which includes the Civil War. Dr. Weinschenk also said that the state of Wisconsin is one of the most polarized in the country, citing how it is “very hard” to get things through the Republican-controlled state legislature and signed by Democratic Governor Tony Evers. The students on the panel addressed issues that may cause students to not engage in elections. They cited media bias as a source of polarization, specifically citing social media as students. The students mentioned the concept of not buying products from a certain company because of the political views and practices of the company and its leadership as an example of the political divide in the current culture.
When the Fourth Estate asked about what advice she gives students about engaging with those they may not agree with, Dr. Coen said, “Different perspectives can be enriching and help in thinking through the logic of contrasting arguments. I urge all students to express their perspectives (including difference of opinion) in a civil and respectful tone.” Dr. Coen also recommended learning more about opposing viewpoints and why people may hold them. Dr. Coen said this strategy builds “a base for understanding” for where people with different viewpoints are coming from. It “then helps humanize people with opposing political beliefs to begin a dialogue.” Dr. Helpap added, “Be kind, empathetic,” and find common ground and compromise with others. Dr. Helpap also believes it is important for students to find unbiased sources of news, which can help overcome perceived polarization, especially for students.
