This midterm, we are seeing unprecedented spending. NBC reports that the 2026 election cycle has seen more spending than any other election to date. 

On the fundraising side, Democrats are raising record amounts of money, due to enthusiasm around individual candidates. Meanwhile, Republicans are outspending these fundraising efforts though large donors, such as Elon Musk, and super PACs, according to NPR.

As the wealthy attempt to buy these elections, it is important to vote now, more than ever. 

In recent years, I’ve heard frustration with voting and the candidates on the ballot. “What’s the point of voting if it’s just the lesser of two evils?” 

With the electoral college and a two-party system, the odds you get to vote for a candidate that believes exactly what you believe is low. It is always going to be the lesser of two evils in a system that is built on colonization, white supremacy and misogyny. 

It’s easy to gravitate towards apathy — to believe that your vote doesn’t matter. However, I believe that to live as good citizens, we have a certain level of social responsibility to participate in society.  

For anyone who cares about the state of the society they live in, voting is a crucial step in seeking broader social change. Voting is not by any means the end all be all of being a good neighbor or seeking justice, but its importance cannot be diminished. 

If you are able to question whether voting matters, and assume that — whatever the result — it will have no effect on you is a privilege. Millions of people in the U.S. are actively having their rights and autonomy stripped. People are fearing for their lives every single day and the influence of this midterm on their circumstances cannot be underestimated. 

Voting makes a difference to your immigrant neighbour when their governor welcomes ICE into your city with open arms. It makes a difference to the trans kid down the block who can no longer receive gender affirming care. 

It makes a difference for the disabled person who can’t afford lifesaving healthcare because Medicaid won’t cover it anymore.

It makes a difference to your friend’s daughter who wants or may need an abortion, but it’s now illegal in her state. She will be risking her life or risking arrest no matter what she does. 

It is always going to be the lesser of two evils at the state or federal level, and voting is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Voting is the next step. The lesser evil still means less evil. 

So vote. Vote for representatives who say they will listen to their constituents and then make them listen.

Vote for yourselves. Vote for your neighbor. Vote for the generations to follow. 

And always follow your vote with action.