To me, participating in the electoral process is one of the most fundamental freedoms we as Americans are able to enjoy. Many people in countless countries around the world still do not enjoy the same freedom, nor did many Americans in centuries past (and even some still today). It is our duty to employ the power given to us by the U.S. Constitution to ensure our voice is heard, and to hold our representatives accountable to our collective principles for the future of this nation.
On Tuesday, all of us will be casting a ballot for the next President of the United States. More importantly, we will be casting ballots for “down-ballot” races, which, in my opinion, are more impactful than the one to determine who will live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave for the next four years.
We will be casting ballots for all 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 35 in the U.S. Senate. These choices will not only determine which party is in control of each chamber, but they will determine the policy direction and priorities for the 117th Congress. These men and women will have a significant impact on the future of CTE funding and the likely reauthorization of many critical pieces of legislation, including the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), National Apprenticeship Act (NAA), Higher Education Act (HEA), among others.
Additionally, some states have Governors races, state legislatures races, local school board races, and state and local referendums all of which will impact you and your families daily lives. State and local elections decide whether a school gets built, or how much funding specific programs receive. It's the vote that shapes your direct community's short and long-term goals, and it’s one that you can have a direct impact in.
ACTE is a nonpartisan organization that does not support or oppose any candidate for public office.