As elections approach, tensions grow high. No matter what way you lean politically, the 2024 elections are relevant. Some say that although the presidential elections will dramatically impact our country, local state level elections are even more important to pay attention to. Even if you can’t vote, students can still change the local Minnesota community through organizations, volunteering, or getting a job. Our state, and subsequently our school, is directly impacted by the legislation put into place by the state elections for State House of Representatives and State Senate. The educational, environmental, and economic bills put into place shape our community.

Here at Minnetonka High School, we have several politically oriented clubs. One of these is Political Advocacy Club, which recently hosted “town halls” with candidates in our district such as Patty Acomb and Andrew Meyer, who are both running for State House of Representatives. Essentially, it is not too early to make an impact by getting involved in politics; it won’t be long until we are a generation of voters.

A Minnesota based organization that works directly with legislators is Kids for the Boundary Waters. This group is made up of students across Minnesota, including Minnetonka students, who advocate for the protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This past April, according to the Save the Boundary Waters website, they met “with their representatives to share their love of the Boundary Waters and ask that more be done to make protection permanent. [They voiced] their support for State Rep. Sandra Feist and Senator Kelly Morrison’s two bills that would protect the Boundary Waters watershed from toxic mining activities and sulfide-ore copper mining”.

Although there isn’t much time until tomorrow’s elections, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved directly with future campaigns of local politicians: you can attend rallies, volunteer to go political canvassing (going door-to-door sharing candidates information and discussing voter concerns), phone bank, and more. There are elections every two years! For most candidates, you can find information about volunteering on their website.

Soon we’ll know the results of this year’s election. For now and the future, keep these options in mind of how you as a student can get involved. If you’re 18 or older, get out and vote!