Midterm Elections

Posters and signs are popping up on every street corner as we enter the 2014 midterm elections.

It is during midterm elections that the American people may vote for their senators, representatives, state legislators, mayors, and governors. The elections will take place on Nov. 4.

Governor O’Malley was elected governor of Maryland in 2006 and won reelection in 2010. According to a USA Today video, O’Malley now wishes to run for president, leaving the governor position open to new candidates.

According to an article from The Baltimore Sun, the leading democratic candidates for governor are Anthony Brown, Douglas Gansler, and Heather Mizeur.

Another Baltimore Sun article states that the leading republican candidates are David Craig, Ron George, and Charles Lollar. Although Maryland is typically known for voting democratic, it is predicted that the Republicans will stand a good chance in 2014.

The candidates looking for their place on the final ballot in November have been addressing issues and laws such as the legalization of marijuana and Maryland income tax. Mizeur asked Brown and Douglas to join her in an attempt to legalize marijuana, according to a Baltimore Sun article. Craig, according to a Washington Post article, is creating a tax-cutting plan which eventually would eliminate the state’s personal income tax.

“The first responsibility of the citizenry is to be informed,” social studies teacher Rodney Johnson said. According to Johnson, one must be aware of the issues at hand in order to vote in the midterm elections.

“The current seniors, the current juniors, and some of the current sophomores will be able to vote in the upcoming 2016 presidential election,” he said. “Now is a good time to start informing yourself on the issues.”

Not all agree with Johnson, though. Junior Dani Long does not pay attention to midterm elections. “I can’t vote [in this election],” Long said, “so whoever wins, it’s not my decision.”

Lauren Glase is a News Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.