<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4HBjMQ_1H2vY8ZC00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4HBjMQ_1H2vY8ZC00" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>Photo by Eric Haynes</figcaption></figure>The 2026 midterm elections last Wednesday were a rousing success for the Democrats, who have flipped more than 40 House seats and eight Senate seats so far, winning the majority in both chambers of Congress by a wide margin. Even usually red states, such as Kansas, South Carolina, and as of Wednesday, Mississippi, now have Democratic senators.Despite these historic changes, many at Hinsdale South were not following the elecftions.In a survey of 142 South students (note the survey’s margin of error is 7.73%), 71.2% reported moderate to low interest in the midterm elections and/or politics in general in the past year, responding three or below on a five-point scale.The level of engagement varied slightly based on political leaning, with 56.1% of liberal-leaning responders; 100% of conservative respondents; and 96.1% of centrists and people who “don’t care about politics” showing moderate to low interest.Youth political disengagement goes beyond our school. According to a poll by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, young people across America are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the political system. While they are concerned with issues like cost of living and housing affordability, many no longer believe that they can make a difference through voting.Here at South, freshman Isabella Gawron cites other reasons for this.“They’re not…following it, either [because they think] that it doesn’t apply to them or…they don’t wanna pick a side because both sides are bad,” Gawron said. “There’s a better side to choose from, though.”Gawron identifies as “very liberal” and mentioned cost of living and US funding of wars abroad as her main political concerns. She also mentioned how school funding is often decided by the results of elections like these, which directly impacts high schoolers.Despite differing political views, senior Kaitlyn Amolsch, who identifies as “very conservative”, has similar thoughts on high schoolers’ political engagement.“I think that it’s important that we know, especially because…this is gonna affect our futures,” Amolsch said. “I know a lot of my peers are anti-voting, [and] I’ve heard a lot of people are just like, ‘Oh, I don’t wanna vote because I don’t like either candidate.’”Amolsch lists abortion and immigration laws as her main political concerns.Even as the political climate in the US becomes increasingly polarized, it is clear that youth political engagement is a bipartisan issue.</div></body>

Block Source: southstinger.com

Misinformation

Clickbait

Old or repetitive news

Explicit content

Location not relevant

The 2026 midterm elections last Wednesday were a rousing success for the Democrats, who have flipped more than 40 House seats and eight Senate seats so far, winning the majority in both chambers of Congress by a wide margin. Even usually red states, such as Kansas, South Carolina, and as of Wednesday, Mississippi, now have Democratic senators.

How Politically Engaged is South?

NewsBreak

The 2026 midterm elections last Wednesday were a rousing success for the Democrats, who have flipped more than 40 House seats and eight Senate seats so far

How Politically Engaged is South?

Comments