Blog #2 Elections Matter Presentation - Emily Ravelo
Hello, My name is Emily Ravelo. I am a first year student at Miami Dade College studying criminal justice. For the fall term, I decided to take a step outside of my comfort zone and delve into the world of public speaking. In this class I have learned the ins and outs of public speaking, what makes a speech high in quality, and I've also had the pleasure of meeting new people. All this to say, being apart of the elections matter presentation and conducting an interview discussing the social issue of woman's rights was incredibly insightful and opened my eyes to new ideas and concepts. I chose to interview an individual that you wouldnt typically choose to ask questions in regards to womens rights- A 21 year old university student from New Jersey. I felt that choosing a wild card of an interviwee would most likely give listeners a new perspective on how a young adult male living in the United States views women and the issues they face not only on a national level, but globally.
candidates and learn more about their views on women's rights specifically. Womens rights have been an
incredibly strong contributing factor explaining how or why many individuals have casted their votes for
either candidate this election. The divide this country has experienced in its' beliefs regarding the
reproductive health of women has been one of the most impactful factors weighing in on voters priority
lists. It is vital that no matter which political party someone is affiliated with, that you cast your vote
based on research, reason, and facts. In order to do this, you must find credible resources that can be
trusted, in order to avoid the consumption of false propaganda/information. In my research findings, I
discovered that many resources can be heavily biased or completely fabricated. An educated vote, is a
valuable vote.
During this election and bringing up the conversation of politics in class, I have felt prompted to take an
initiative in learning something from this historic event. Because this was my first year voting, I hadnt
taken an interest in politics in prior years. This year I wanted to make a good decision when voting for the
right candidate. Voting is such a huge experience for Americans all around the world. It is a time where
groups of people come together to make a huge decision as a contribution to the history of their countries
success. I have learned many insightful things that I will carry with me for the rest of my life and during
future elections. In an effort to narrow it down to just the key concepts I held onto the most, I have made
a list of five things I learned from this year's unforgettable presidential race.
The Power of Digital Campaigns- Digital platforms continue to play a huge role in elections, primarily with social media, online ads, and documentary style short films shaping voter outreach. This year’s election has showed how greatly the world can be divided by things such as social media ALONE. There are many un-credible biased sources that spread false information amongst potential voters causing Americans to remain uninformed.
Voter Engagement is growing - Voter turnout in 2024 has shown significant growth and engagement, especially amongst young voters and historically underrepresented communities. Not only has voter engagement taken a swift rise, but Americans won this election by a landslide, completely sweeping the democratic party in a state of agreement that the United States has not experienced in many years.
The Rise of Populist Sentiment - Populism continues to shape both major parties, with candidates focusing on addressing economic inequality, skepticism toward elites, and national identity concerns. This year’s election has revealed how populist rhetoric is not confined to one side of the political spectrum; rather, both Republicans and Democrats have adapted populist messaging to rally their bases.
The Impact of Social Issues on Voter Behavior - Issues like abortion rights, climate change, and racial justice have been central to this year's election, with candidates’ stances on these topics significantly influencing voter decisions. This highlights how social issues can often be more galvanizing than traditional party lines, especially as voters seek candidates who align with their values on human rights and social justice.
The Importance of Independent Voters - The voting behavior of independents has been pivotal in key swing states, with many candidates needing to appeal to this group in order to secure victory. Their priorities seem to shift based on the national mood, and many independents are showing a preference for pragmatic, centrist policies over extreme partisan stances, reflecting a broader desire for political moderation.
These insights capture how American politics continue to evolve, influenced by new technology, shifting demographics, and a rapidly changing social landscape.
Excellent. I certainly agree with your hopes of a calmer election next time and less division in our country.
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