The 2023 midterm elections determined congressional and local positions in the government.  Illinois voting took place in polling stations across the state on Nov. 8, or, before election day through mail-in ballots.

According to  CIRCLE, more than eight million Americans have reached the eligible voting age for the 2022 election. Yet, voter turnout during midterm elections is lower than in presidential elections. Junior Ani Apresyan urges all eligible students to vote.

“If you want to make a difference in your community, the best way to do that is to get out and vote, especially for local government,” Apresyan said. “[Our local government is] a lot more serious than people realize. It is not just the president who makes decisions.”

The highest position on the ballot was State Governor, with democrat J.B. Pritzker running for re-election, and Republican Darren Bailey running as his opponent. J.B. Pritzker was the winner, with 54.3 percent of Illinois votes. Other Illinois races included Attorney State General, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, which is based on district. Both the Democratic and Republican parties aim to take control of Congress.

Reproductive health and inflation are two key topics that influenced voter direction.  According to the KFF polling, 50 percent of democrats claim to be more motivated to vote this year after the overturning of Roe V. Wade. Similarly, 15 percent of republican voters said their motivator to vote was the economy.

Apresyan hopes that students will practice their right to vote in future elections.

“Young people nowadays do not think that their voices matter,” Apresyan said. But students can make so much change.”