I was deeply disturbed by “Oberlin Students Must Evaluate Their Place in Local Elections” by Opinions Editor Jackie Brant (The Oberlin Review, Oct. 5, 2018). She makes the case that students should not vote in Ohio for the midterm elections because — as part-time Ohioans — we cannot possibly understand the stakes or feel the repercussions of our vote. Brant illustrates her point in great detail using Issue 11, a complex education funding proposal that Oberlin residents and students can vote on this November, as a frame. Brant says Issue 11 is an example of how Oberlin students may overstep in the election, voting on a proposal that will not affect them but could be quite impactful to the full-time resident...

Although it seems that the last election cycle only just ended, it is already time to start thinking about the upcoming races this academic year. While smaller in scale than the presidential race we all just endured, these elections are incredibly important — especially in such a politically fragile time. This is why the Oberlin College Democrats, in partnership with local grassroots activist group Lorain County Rising, have invited every candidate for the Democratic Party’s gubernatorial nomination to speak at Oberlin leading up to this spring’s primary. These forums are an opportunity for Oberlin students and community members to engage with candidates for governor in a race that will not feature curre...