At Gordon College, there are many students who care strongly about political issues and how they shape our community. Whether this is environmental sustainability, housing, education, regulation of AI use, etc., most students have at least one political topic that they care deeply about.
It’s easy for us, especially when the majority of us are in the 18-22 age range, to believe that real change only happens in Washington, D.C., or at the state level, run only by older adults. However, in reality, the most immediate change happens at the local level, and as Gordon students, we actually have the power to be part of it.
Local governments are surprisingly accessible. One of the biggest ways you can join is by attending town meetings and public hearings. Most cities and towns like Wenham, Beverly, and Hamilton hold open meetings where residents and students can listen and then voice their opinions. The most popular topics these meetings go over are zoning, public safety, and community projects that can actually affect students living nearby. Showing up to those meetings is very impactful, and if you don’t have transportation, you can actually tune in online, so you can both understand how decisions are made and figure out where your voice will fit best.
Elections are also not just about national politics. If you want a candidate to win an election because you feel passionate about them running for a school committee, city council, or even mayor, you can join in volunteering with their local campaign. These campaigns heavily rely on volunteers to knock on doors, make calls, and get people to vote. You’ll also gain experience in working within a civic engagement role, which fits extremely well with Gordon’s mission of service.
Many towns have advisory boards that focus on areas like sustainability, diversity, and youth engagement. These groups are very welcoming to young adults and college students, as we can give a fresh perspective.
If jumping into local politics feels intimidating, you can start making changes on campus. You can get involved with groups like GSCA, Gordon Republicans/Democrats, or any other club, because making genuine change starts with participation. Internships and service projects are also great ideas for learning how community engagement can change the political atmosphere.
The biggest misconception about politics is assuming you have no say, but we live in a democratic republic, and you do not need to wait until after graduation to have a say. You can register to vote in Wenham using a campus address or vote absentee in your home state. Every single vote holds weight, including local elections that have low turnout. We should all learn to participate, especially if we claim that we want to see change.
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