By Cait Heiderman
Students at the University of Maryland showed up in droves on Tuesday to cast their votes in the 2026 midterm elections, with many citing issues like immigration, education, AI and data centers as important to them this election cycle.
Students living on campus had the option to go to polling locations at Adele H. Stamp Student Union or College Park City Hall to vote.
“No matter what your party affiliation is or who you’re voting for this election, it’s important that everyone gets out and votes because the only way that democracy is productive is if everyone participates,” said Jordan Namie, a senior computer science and accounting major.
Namie volunteers with TerpsVote to answer questions students may have before voting.
TerpsVote, a nonpartisan effort at UMD focused on expanding civic engagement and providing voters with resources, held a “Party at the Polls” event Tuesday in the lobby of Stamp Student Union to provide last-minute information and boost voter turnout
For many Terps, this election marked their first time taking part in the democratic process.
“I think there’s moments like this where it’s especially critical that you get your voice out,” said Jason Malone, a sophomore studying materials science and engineering.
Paola Rojas, a senior neuroscience and human development dual degree student, volunteers for TerpsVote and emphasized that voting is about making change in the community.
“There are many people who don’t have this privilege to be able to change the government, change the way things are going on right now, and the political sphere,” Rojas said. “By voting, we are giving those people a voice, and also exercising our own voices as well.”
On the statewide ballot, Marylanders had the choice of gubernatorial candidates including Democratic Gov. Wes Moore and Republican candidate Dan Cox. In addition, voters could choose between Democrat Brooke Lierman and Republican Sonya Dunn for state comptroller and Democrat Anthony G. Brown and Republican James B. Rutledge III for attorney general.
Hannah Han, a sophomore criminology and criminal justice major, was also a first-time voter.
“No politician is perfect, obviously,” Han said. “We’re kind of stuck with not very great options at the moment.”
Beyond candidate races, voters were presented with three statewide questions on their Maryland ballots.
“There was a redistricting question here that I think is especially relevant at this time,” said Lindsay Saulsberry, a senior chemistry major who chose to vote on campus due to the convenience.
Salisbury voted yes for Question 3, which asks voters to amend the state constitution to change the rules around drawing congressional districts in Maryland.
According to a UMBC poll from early October, which asked Maryland voters their opinions on Question 3, 25% of respondents said they would vote yes. Voters planning to vote no made up about 53% of respondents, leaving 19% unsure of their answer heading into the election.
For Saulsberry, her ballot choices focused on supporting redistricting changes, public access funding for libraries, the need for transparent funding and strong union commitments. She added that high campaign spending and increased political mobilization have made this election highly visible.
Namie, a TerpsVote volunteer, emphasized taking advantage of democracy’s benefits and using your voice during the election.
“We’re at such a time where people aren’t really following the rules of politics,” Namie said. “If people aren’t voting or if one group is marginalized and not able to share their opinions, then our democracy isn’t working.”
Featured Image: A student votes while others wait in line at Adele H. Stamp Student Union’s Grand Ballroom on Nov. 3. Photo by Josh Hananel.