91¶ÌÊÓƵ

Leah Murray, Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor & Political Science and Philosophy

Historically, this election is happening in a time of unrest, and from unrest comes change.

To quote a wonderful musical (Hamilton) about a fabulous founding father, “How lucky we are to be alive right now.” Politically, this is one of the most important years in the American election cycle. 

First, this is a census year, which we use to determine representation. Every person in Utah is counted, as has every person in the United States since 1790, and we learn how many we are and who we are. If you have not been counted, or if you aren’t sure, please visit , because Wildcats count! 

Second, in this election we will choose the people who will then make decisions based on that census. Our state legislators will decide how geographic districts are drawn for the U.S. House of Representatives and for the State Legislature. This election will choose the choosers. We will live with those decisions for the next decade. To vote, you need to register. If you are not sure if you are registered, please visit , because Wildcats vote!

Third, this is a presidential election year, which is the most exciting American election we have. The entire nation will see the same two names at the top of the ballot in the only national collective political moment we have. The president is the most powerful position in our government and is possibly the most powerful leader in the world. What that person says and does will have monumental repercussions. We will live with that choice for the next four years. We will live with the ramifications of the decisions that person makes for a lifetime. If you are unsure who to vote for, do some research, learn from events such as those at 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service, because Wildcats make informed decisions.

These are stressful times, but these are the times that make us. We will be amazing as a result of these times. You do not want to miss being a part of this. You do not want to miss having your voice heard as we make decisions about what our country will be for the next few decades. This will be a time that the AP history exams will cover for years to come as this year will live on in our nation’s collective memory. We will all remember where we were when the schools closed. And, in a hundred years, scholars will study how we voted and what happened as a result.

You want to be a part of this.