2018 midterm elections demonstrated that more people are realizing the importance of voting.   

On November 6, 2018, gubernatorial elections were held at Cicero West, an elementary school from grades preK-3rd in the town of Cicero; a town with its population being mostly Hispanic. Midterm elections are held to determine who will be representing the house and senate for the next two years, and who will be representing our state of Illinois as Governor. This 2018 gubernatorial elections had a record of 800,000 voters registered more than in previous years. Many Hispanics and young adults registered to vote in this year’s midterm elections. In past years the number of Hispanics voting was exceptionally low. Like many populations, Hispanics may have believed that their vote would not make a difference. Today’s circumstances have motivated more Hispanics and young adults to go out and vote and have their voices heard.   

“What motivates people is when things are going in a really weird way and they’re angry, anger motivates people,” the media specialist at Cicero West, Jennifer Kaempfe said.  

Many people since the 2016 presidential elections have been unhappy with the outcome and the restraints the government has tried to entail on minority groups, both legal and Illegal. Situations like these are just some of the things that discourage people from voting.   

“If people knew that their vote mattered, more people I think would vote. People think that voting doesn’t matter because they see the people, they vote for don’t always win,” an anonymous female voter said.   

Disappointment is one of the factors that contribute to low Hispanic votes. Another factor is that Hispanics are not always well informed since many don’t understand English.  

“If people were explained more on who they’re voting for and were informed on how it would impact their community and the importance of voting more people would vote,” an anonymous male voter said.

Many people go out and vote and aren’t always fully informed on how their choices will impact them. Many people are oblivious to politics and what is going on in the world. People aren’t provided enough resources to make an attentive decision.

“The community should have events for political things instead of for El Cinco de mayo or 16 de septiembre. They should provide more information by having events to inform people. Unfortunately, the ones that vote the least are Hispanics and it’s because they’re not well informed,” an anonymous female voter said.