Demystifying the Midterms
This article was co-written with Willa O'Reilley and Emma Shampain
By many measures, the world is a turbulent place right now. In politics, voting, and civic engagement, young people are often written off as apathetic and disinterested. Students would beg to differ.
From ICE to budget cuts, VHS students have big opinions on what policy should look like in our nation. With the midterm election coming up on November 3rd, there is an opportunity to take action. Casting your vote is the most direct way to make an impact on these issues, but voting can be a confusing process for anyone, especially young people new to the civic process.
“I think there is a lack of knowledge, a lot of people don't know how to register to vote or know that they can pre-register,” senior Neko Rogneby commented.
In a Riptide conducted survey of VHS students, 60.6% of students reported that they were unsure or had not learned about voting in school. So, here is the 411 on this year’s election:
The midterms (held in the middle of a president's four year term), decides what party will control congress.
“When you have a new president, historically, the midterms are about that president's job performance” US Government teacher Jason Butler shared.
This year in particular, Washington voters are not only electing new officials, but making pivotal decisions over our rights and state governance.
Every single seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is ‘up for grabs’ alongside 33 of the 100 federal Senate seats. Headlines for congressional races like James Talirico in Texas, Abdul Al-Syed in Michigan, and the Graham Platner scandal in Maine a few months ago, have highlighted the midterms nationally. Washington state has 49 legislative districts, each consisting of two representatives and one senator. This year, all 98 seats in the state house, 24 out of 49 in the state senate, and five out of nine of the state supreme court seats are up for election. With so much going on, it’s hard to know where Vashon fits into the mix. Vashon Island is in the seventh congressional district, represented by Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D) who is up for reelection this year.
Pramila Jayapal has been our representative since January 3rd, 2017 and is seeking a sixth term where she hopes to further her initiatives. Jayapal is a progressive voice on the national stage, advocating extensively for Medicare for All, raising the federal minimum wage, reforming immigration, and increasing taxes on the ultrawealthy. She has been critical of the Trump administration’s corruption, deployment of ICE, and war in Iran in her speeches and policy. Recently, the congresswoman effectively passed a War Powers Resolution to attempt to end the war in Iran. Jayapal is no stranger to the island either. Vashon residents may have seen or heard about her involvement in securing shoreline restoration projects and the Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird Treatment Center, proving that Vashon voices matter to this candidate.
Challenging Jayapal is Republican Nirav Sheth. This former Marine Corps member and police officer is elevating law, order, and affordability in his platform this election cycle and seeks to target homelessness and energy independence in his policy proposals.
Our legislative election for our district looks similar to past years with all three democrat representatives seeking reelection. State House Representative Brianna Thomas has held her seat since 2025, and in her short time in office she has advocated for increasing worker protections, passing the Millionaires Tax, and improving public transportation. Our second representative, Joe Fitzgibbon, is far more experienced, with over a decade under his belt. He is focusing on climate activism, improving public transportation, and balancing state budgeting. Fitzgibbon underwent major controversy back in February when he appeared visibly intoxicated during a House committee meeting. His opponent Mary Anito, a first time candidate, is an engineer whose platform centers on public education funding, affordable living, and universal healthcare. She claims that her fresh contributions are exactly what the 34th legislative district needs to make tangible change.
But the most buzz this year has been delegated to Washington's ballot initiatives. Ballot initiatives are a way for Washington citizens to make their voices heard on controversial laws. Citizens can sign signatures to challenge or pass certain laws on a ballot. This gives a voice to ordinary people, not just representatives. This midterm season, Washington citizens will vote on ballot initiatives relating to income taxes, transgender girls in interscholastic sports, and restoring parents rights in public schools, just to name a few.
In March 2026, Governor Bob Ferguson signed a bill approving a 9.9% tax on annual individual income above $1,000,000 to go into effect in 2028. Since this decision, a ballot initiative to repeal the so-called Millionaires Tax has gained traction. On the midterm ballot this November, voters will decide whether or not the Millionaires Tax will go into effect in 2028, or if Ferguson's decision will be repealed.
“We are going to see how the people feel about taxing the rich,” Butler commented on the initiative.
Also on the midterm ballot, initiative 638, known as the Defending Equity in Interscholastic Sport Act, will attempt to prevent transgender girls from competing in girls sports in K-12 public schools. In doing this, the act would potentially subject all teenage girls who wish to compete in sports to undergo invasive genital exams in order to verify their sex, according to The Seattle Times. In the same report, supporters of I-638 argued that the act is about protecting girls, not violating them, referencing a method of sex verification that uses medical history. Even so, the act's implications on girls sports has created intense backlash in Seattle and beyond. Gov. Bob Ferguson, The Seattle Times, and the Washington State PTA have made firm statements against I-638.
The Washington Parents Bill of Rights will be voted on in November. This initiative was created to challenge legislative changes made in 2025. Supporters say that the act would expand the rights of parents with children in public schools, specifically by giving parents more access to information about students' medical, mental health, and educational records within 10 days, instead of 45 business days. Washington LGBTQIA+ organizations oppose the repeals, saying that it would violate the privacy of queer youth. Gov. Bob Ferguson, Washington State PTA, Washington Education Association have shared similar sentiments, all in opposition to the initiative's attempts to change 2025 legislation.
The hot topics on the ballot this year matter to VHS students apparent through the activism and messaging seen on campus, and in the community. These issues affect youth, and so many teens anticipate the day that they too can vote on pressing issues. However information, or lack thereof, can be a massive obstacle for young voters. Misinformation spreads, and a general lack of correct information can stymie action in young people, even if they are otherwise politically conscious.
How old do you have to be to register to vote? It turns out only 26% of polled VHS students know the right answer. In 2019, the Washington state legislature lowered the voter registration age from 18 to 16, hoping to increase registration.
“Pre-registering 16- and 17-year-olds to vote allows them to start voting on day one, as soon as they turn 18, and that should make them lifetime voters. That’s the ultimate goal,” said Representative Steve Bergquist.
Since then, the number of 18- 24-year-olds registered to vote has doubled. Unfortunately, voter turnout has not followed the same trend. As of September 1, 2026, youth made up only 6% of the total voter turnout in the state, palling in comparison to the 41% turnout rate of voters 55 and up.
“Most of what I’ve learned [about voting] has not come from school,” Rogneby shared, pointing out that there is an issue of awareness, not apathy.
Here at VHS, only 14% of polled students said they are registered to vote, but this number could easily change.
“We could probably register 85, 90% of students. School is a good net place to capture that,” Butler claimed.
So VHS, we need your help: Every Thursday until the voter registration deadline of October 25th, come register to vote at the Turnout Thursdays table during lunch, grab some goodies, and learn more about our civic process. Ballots will be mailed out mid October, so remember to vote by November 3rd if you are over 18! Your voice matters, so make it count during this midterm!
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