[UA] Midterm elections are in one week! And more on Q3.

[Mahi E.]

[image: UALogoCroppedFullColor1x.png]

Why should you vote?
Voting is the number one way to make your voice heard, and your greatest
opportunity to weigh in on local, state, and federal issues. Encourage
those around you to also vote. If you want to make an impact and see
change, you have to vote. Even if your candidates lose and ballot issues
fail, your vote sends an important message.
Why is this election important?
Although certain states and districts have historically leaned towards a
particular party, partisan identification nears historical lows. At midterm
elections in particular, voter turnout matters. There is *always* a race or
issue that you and your vote can affect. Better inform yourself by
researching a candidate’s record or advocacy groups, especially on issues
that you care about.
"Yes" on Question 3
In 2016, Massachusetts state legislature passed a bill to add gender
identity to the list of prohibited grounds for discrimination in places of
public accommodation, resort, or amusement. A “yes” vote on Question 3
upholds the current law prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity
in public places, such as restrooms, hotels, restaurants, and stores.
On Monday, Interim ICEO Alyce Johnson spoke here
<https://news.mit.edu/2018/alyce-johnson-transgender-rights-mit-1029> about
the Institute’s commitment to protecting the rights of transgender members
of the MIT community, regardless of the ballot initiative outcome, and why
respectful, open dialogue is an essential component of MIT’s campus life.
In addition, as stated in the UA policy platform, the UA firmly supports
“protecting the rights of all MIT students...regardless of gender
identity.” We strongly encourage you to vote “yes” on Question 3.
Events on Campus
Election Day: Nov. 6!

   1.

   Election Day Extravaganza by MITvote starting at 10am. Location: Kresge
   Lawn + Stud Plaza
   2.

   Rainbow Lounge Open Hours from 2 PM to 7 PM
   3.

   SPXCE Intercultural Center Open Hours from 12 PM to 6 PM
   4.

   Let’s Chat in the OME with Counselors from MIT Mental Health from
   5:20-7PM

Post-Election: Nov. 7

   1.

   COMIT Election Debrief from 7-8:30pm in 2-143
   2.

   Rainbow Lounge Open Hours from 2 PM to 7 PM
   3.

   SPXCE Intercultural Center Open Hours from 12 PM to 6 PM
   4.

   Student Center Break – C3 (Cookies, Community, and Conversation), PDR 1
   & 2 from 3PM to 5PM
   5.

   Walk-in Office Hours at OME with refreshments from 10am-3pm
   6.

   Let’s Chat in the OME with MIT Mental Health Practitioner from 3:20-5pm

What positions are candidates running for?

33 Senate seats: The senate is in charge of proposing and writing bills,
confirming presidential appointments, and has the power to veto treaties
proposed by the president with a ⅔ vote. A senator serves a 6 year term,
but because elections are staggered, ⅓ of senators are re-elected every 2
years.

435 House seats: The house has an amount of representatives from each state
that is proportional to the state’s population. Representatives’ job is to
write and pass laws that benefit their constituents. All bills concerning
taxes must originate in the house. All House representatives are elected
every two years.

36 State governorships: 36 state governorships are up for contention.
Governors have power over the redistricting process, which allows them to
manipulate district lines in their party’s favor, a tactic known as
gerrymandering. Massachusetts’ governor is up for election
Current State of the Union
Republicans: 51 senators, 236 representatives, and 33 governors
Democrats: 49 senators, 193 representatives, and 16 governors
REGISTER TO VOTE <https://vote.gov/>


-- 
Mahalaxmi Elango
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 2020
Secretary of the Undergraduate Association
Department of EECS and Department of BCS
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/undergrads/attachments/20181030/90292ec4/attachment-0001.html
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: UALogoCroppedFullColor1x.png
Type: image/png
Size: 4202 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://mailman.mit.edu/pipermail/undergrads/attachments/20181030/90292ec4/attachment-0001.png