Many Texas State students oppose the current political climate on our college campus, yet students fail to recognize and utilize their voices to advocate for meaningful political change. As early voting and elections season in Texas begins on Oct. 20, students must understand the importance of ethical and safe political engagement.
Voter turnout for local elections is generally low. In 2024, 67% of registered voters in San Marcos voted in the general election. As residents of the city, Texas State students must not overlook the value of civic engagement.
Political participation is crucial because politics directly influence students and residents. Local politicians in San Marcos make decisions on funding, influence projects and policies and have a significant impact on the community.
While the idea of political involvement may seem daunting or stressful, there is no “single way” to be politically engaged; it is often easier than it seems.
Practicing political involvement is the first step in developing long-term civic engagement habits. Not only does democracy thrive when young people are civically engaged, but a higher quality of life is also present in communities where those habits are strong. One of the easiest ways to begin consciously participating in politics is to listen to others and take the time to discuss and understand different opinions.
The simple act of thoughtful and honest engagement with opposing viewpoints is a way for Texas State students to uphold democracy.
“When being politically engaged … [students should] look for discourse, not a debate.” Isabel Thornton, public administration senior, said.
However, political content must be evaluated carefully, reasonably and objectively to identify misinformation, which threatens the effectiveness of government action by hindering political participation. When voters cannot differentiate misinformation from truth, they lose confidence in political institutions. As a result, they are less likely to practice civic engagement.
When students listen to opposing viewpoints while thinking critically, they can identify misinformation and prevent it from spreading. In doing so, they are actively and ethically involved with politics.
The voices of voters are magnified during local elections because of the significant impact local politicians have on their communities.
At Texas State, students frequently gather at The Stallions to exercise their right to free speech. On Monday, Oct. 6, supporters rallied together after Thomas Alter’s due process hearing, urging the university to reinstate the tenured professor. College protests have historically been a powerful method of political activism. However, protesting is not the only way students can make their voices heard.
Voting is an essential aspect of political engagement and gives people a platform to advocate for the needs of their community. It is particularly beneficial for college students to vote, as job opportunities and education are affected by policy decisions.
Unfortunately, the low turnout during local elections shows their importance is unrecognized. However, when cities have politicians who listen to their constituents, positive change is more likely to occur. For example, in 2024, the San Marcos City Council enacted the Single-Use Beverage Container Ban Ordinance. Before the council finally approved the ban, community members had spent years advocating for the ordinance because of the litter in the San Marcos River.
Joining a political organization on campus is another accessible way for students to engage with politics. These organizations provide a platform for students to have their voices heard, help them understand politics, encourage the further development of their viewpoints and provide additional resources and opportunities for political engagement.
“Being active in a club that is politically oriented … can broaden horizons or hone in on questions [students] might have about how to lean into the political sphere,” Thornton said. “Being a civilian … and understanding what’s going on in your polls, in your elections, who you are voting for this term, understanding what kind of policies are being passed and what that means for you as a student … mounts up to [being politically active].”
-Alexis Chan is a mass communication freshman
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