Election results are here

Well, we’ve done it. We’ve all made it through election season. For many of us, the next few days will be filled with incredulity or excitement, depending on our respective stances, as we come to terms with the results of various elections.
As exhilarating and/or disappointing as the election results may be, I think it’s important to maintain a “sportsmanlike” attitude about the outcomes. I’m sure almost all of us here at Idaho State University have had even a small failure rubbed in our faces by a gloating winner, and at other times been the boastful victor. It’s never fun to be on the receiving end of bragging, and if you’re on the bragging end, odds are someone wants to punch you.
Politics can be extremely polarizing, which is another reason why I feel it’s important to remain respectful. Although I’m sure some sports fans might argue with me on this point, the outcomes of presidential and local elections affect people more than the wins and losses of sports teams or other competitive situations.
Those whose favored candidate lost the presidential election may be worried about the outcome of the next four years. Sports losses, although undoubtedly frustrating, don’t threaten the same sort of life changes that political losses do.
Regardless of the discussions and arguments that may have taken place prior to the elections, I can’t help but feel like it’s slightly heartless to kick a person when they’re down, especially considering how helpless and nervous a person might be if their favored candidate was defeated.
I’m sure the results of the presidential elections hold significance for most, if not all of us here at ISU, whether we’ve invested in them personally or not. But despite the significance of the presidential election, I believe it’s important to be aware of the results of local and state elections as well.
For many of us, myself included, who voted absentee, it’s not likely that we’ll see the results of our county (or state) elections unless we actively seek them out.
Another controversial item on this year’s Idaho general election ballot were Propositions 1, 2 and 3 on educational reform. Regardless of the decisions on these items, I imagine Idaho residents will continue to debate them. Considering the amount of misinformation that was thrown around by both proponents and opponents of the propositions, research on the topics could still be relevant even after the fact.
I wrote several columns prior to the elections touting the importance of being informed, involved and responsible in the face of governmental decision-making. Though the pressure is now off (at least for the time being), it seems to me that being informed, involved and responsible is still a necessity when navigating the results of the elections.
Understanding what the elections might mean for you is an element of being informed. Research the platforms of the elected officials in your district or even consider contacting them to see how they plan to represent you in state government.
It’s easy to stay involved when you familiarize yourself with your local officials. Letting them know what you want to see in the legislature is important – they’re here to represent us.
Finally, I hope all ISU students will stay responsible in the wake of elections by making responsible voting decisions in the future, staying informed about this year’s outcomes and respecting the differing ideas and opinions of others.