Women in Politics Magazine: A Reflection on the Elections

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December 2021

A Word From Our Magazine Manager: With the upcoming 2022 midterm election, I will have the opportunity to vote for the first time! While I am incredibly excited to begin the political activism I have always dreamed of, I have come to realize as well that my age was not the limiting factor in getting involved. Though I have not previously had the opportunity to vote, I always had the chance to express my political voice.

To begin the journey of political activity, I have found the first step to be expanding one’s horizons with information. Having a broad range of information and sources ensures that opinions are complex and well-informed. I was lucky enough to have a politically active family with whom I could discuss my ideas, but I sought more bipartisan views than those I could hear at dinner table

conversations. My own search led me to the internet, as I am sure most of your searches have as well. Through news apps and twitter posts, I began to understand other opinions and consider perspectives I had not thought of prior. Even with my growing knowledge and awareness, I was still unsure of what concrete contributions I could make.

I soon discovered the great degrees of power which are held in the voices of the people — even those not yet old enough to vote. Especially in recent times, accountability originates in attention.

Without the exposure of political action and the uproar in response, many issues and conflicts would be left unchanged. By lending our ears to some issues and our voices to others, we can change the scope of the political world as we know it. There is so much power in the simple actions of staying alert and aware of current issues, all we need to do is seek it out. The rise of social media has allowed younger generations to be intensely informed on political affairs. Though social media brings with it a host of other issues, such as group polarization and online echo chambers, it is a fantastic gateway to the world of political news. Finding more information online and joining communities that can help foster and develop my political passion has been a priceless experience. I can thank organizations like Women in Politics for the foundations of my advocacy, without which I would not be the political activist I am today.

Even before my 18th birthday, I have become more politically active than I had ever imagined I would be, in an attainable and sustainable manner. I would encourage all readers to continue their activism and be confident in the change they can inspire as they contribute to an involved and informed generation.

TABLE OF 1

Put The Ballot On Your To-Do List: Preparing For The 2022 Midterms

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BY: SHREYA RAJAPPA

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All Eyes On US - The World’s View On American Politics

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BY: SAGE LAHMERS

Consequences of Gerrymandering

BY: HANNA MATSUKAWA

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BY: ANTONIA PAULUS

COP26- Key Takeaways

The Controversy and

One Year In: Comparing the Biden and Trump Administrations

BY: TING CUI

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Biden's Approach and Successes with Covid-19

BY: ISABELLA RINALDI

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Lobbying in the 2020 Presidential Election

BY: SUSANNAH MAYALL

PUT THE BALLOT ON YOUR TO-DO LIST: Preparing For The 2022 Midterms By: Shreya Rajappa

A year goes by fast. In less than a year -- on November 8, 2022 -- the United States Congressional election will be held, a facet of a typical midterm year. All 435 House of Representatives seats and 34 Senate seats will be up for grabs. Before you know it, it’ll be time to cast your ballot and pick the people who will make decisions for you for the next two years. You can prepare with the to-do list outlined below:

RESEARCH: Figure out what issues matter to you; what your lines in the sand are. Use non-biased news sources, such as Politico, to educate yourself on current events and their impacts on groups of people, especially marginalized communities. A few topics to get you started are climate change legislation (e.g. the Green New Deal), the criminal justice system and prison industrial complex, systemic discrimination (e.g. police brutality, bias in healthcare, housing patterns and gentrification), and immigration and the US government’s current treatment of undocumented individuals. When Studying broader topics, narrow the ones that pique passion for you. For example, start with women’s rights and focus on the Violence Against Women Act abortion rights. Forming opinions from research before hearing the arguments of candidates will help to better analyze the candidates’ platforms.

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Look up how many House seats you can vote for (they’re allocated by district) and if you have a Senate election (only 34 out of 100 seats have elections in the upcoming midterm). Determine your statewide and local election schedules for the exact primary dates. Read up on the candidate’s platform in your district, listen to their speeches, and take note of what others ( from political experts to your own neighbors) have to say about them. Have conversations with your loved ones and local strangers about candidates you support or oppose, bringing up specific details from their campaigns and possible impacts in your attempts at persuasion. If you discover candidates outside of your state and/or district who you want to support, there are many ways to boost their campaigns without voting: phone bank, donate, or volunteering, for instance. Teen Vogue highlights Charles Booker (Kentucky), Jessica Cisneros (Texas), Rana Abdelhamid (NY), Morgan Harper (Ohio), Maxwell Frost (Florida), Brittany Ramos DeBarros (NY), Imani Oakley (NJ), Malcolm Kenyatta and John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), and Mandela Barnes (Wisconsin) as candidates to take note of and follow closely until the election.

According to 270 To Win, experts project that California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maryland, Hawaii, and Connecticut will likely vote blue; Alaska, Indiana, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Idaho, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Florida, and South Carolina will likely vote red; and Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia will be toss-ups. US News calls Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin the states to keep an eye on during the midterms while CNN claims Pennsylvania, Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Florida, Ohio, and Missouri are the states most likely to have party flips. You could play a role in this. Every vote counts. Your vote counts. Use it.

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ALL EYES ON U.S: The World’s View On Current American Politics By: Antonia Paulus

Ever since the founding, the United States of America have strived to be “the city upon a hill” - a lighthouse in a sea of nations, an example to everyone around them. That idea still exists. It exists in the way politics are made, in the foundation of America itself. Its existence may be seen as critical, however, wherever the Star-Spangled Banner does not hang on the walls.

Early on, to no surprise, the US was not the global superpower it is today.

Focusing on internal affairs and broadening the country itself, it was only in the background that the United States of America´s impact on the world grew as a result of a blossoming economy and the sheer size of the

Now if you were to ask most people around the world if they were happy with the 2020 presidential election´s results, according to a study commissioned by the European Council for Foreign Relations in late 2020, they would probably not be able to give the straightest answer. Not because they do not really care, but rather because in recent years, many of them lost trust in the US, its citizens´ voting habits and the voting system itself. But what exactly made them change their mind about the US which had been used as a precedent for so long?

country. Fast forward to today, along the way passing wars, national and international conflicts and alliances built and broken, nobody can deny that what happens in the US not only affects American citizens. No wonder that with every election, it is not only them impatiently awaiting the results.

While the thought had lingered for quite some time in relation to war or other big international problems, it was especially the result of the 2016 election that brought out discontent not only in American citizens but all around the world.

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Looking at Asia first, Donald Trump

Moving one´s view to Australia, it was

started his presidency in a country that,

especially the Covid-19 pandemic and

according to a survey done in multiple

the 2020 election that had many

asian countries in June of 2016, people

people get especially invested in

thought to have quite a positive effect

American politics due to a rising

on the area. His anti-muslim rhetoric

concern about the future of politics

(including claiming that some muslims

there. As Australia and the US are tied

celebrate 9/11, or demanding a travel

in areas like defense and economy as

ban for muslims), to name one

well, politics on either side affect the

example, however had a negative

other greatly. This worriment has

effect on Malaysia and Indonesia´s

however seemingly gotten better since

opinion of the US. Four years later, in a

Joe Biden´s inauguration, though not all

different survey, though aware of the

Australians are particularly great fans

US as a global superpower ranked

of his either.

even above China by some, Trump himself and the government beneath

Viewing the Americas, especially south

him received rather low marks in all of

of the US, approval once again

Asia, while different in every country.

decreased with Donald Trump's

These differences can be linked to his

presidency. In Mexico, for example, it

diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim

was especially his plan to build a wall

Jong Un, which about 80% of surveyed

between the two countries causing this

Japanese and South Korean citizens,

effect, though his racist takes, e.g.

but fewer than 30% of people in the

Mexico “only sending rapists” as

Philippines, Indonesia and India agreed

immigrants, also relate to it greatly. It

with. Looking at it at a rather political

was also there where the least surveyed

level now, it does seem like over the

citizens answered to have a positive

course of his presidency, many asian

view on the States in 2017. Going into

allies were particularly fond of Trump's

his presidency, Biden now had a great

rather tough approach on China,

hope lying on his shoulders. This was

fearing a nicer, but less effective

also shared by the country to the United

exchange between Biden and Beijing.

States’ North, though this relationship

It is also him who has recently received

had never really worsened too badly,

a lot of backlash for his response to the

only tainted by, for example, the

crisis in the middle east. Overall,

response to Covid-19 under Trump.

however, the current relationship seems to be a civil, though not overly positive

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one.

On the continent of Africa, the election

Though many of these rather critical

was followed closely as well. Here,

takes may seem negative, no survey

agreeing mostly with the rest of the

resulted in the doubt of the United

world, it was again Joe Biden who

States’ global power. All around the

gained the favor of the people

world, the US is considered highly

according to a survey, as a big part of

important in all areas including

Trump’s approach seemed to rather

economy, politics and life as a whole.

harm African countries. Trump calling

Although it may now have changed, the

African (and other) nations “shithole

idea of “the city upon a hill” after John

countries”, as well as complicating

Winthrop still stands, only now

trade between the two continents or,

challenged by different parts of

as stated above, issuing a muslim travel

American history. Still, the US remains

ban, left many citizens unhappy.

impactful, and almost nobody doubts

Moreover, the response to the

its power to change for the better.

pandemic was also a reason for

mistrust in this part of the world.

However, the discontent with the US is no-doubtetly also deeply rooted in the States’ history of slavery, so not

necessarily wholly tied to Trump or Biden.

Lastly, looking at Europe, it was especially the political system as a whole that another survey proved to be doubted by many. Though favoring Biden like the rest of the world, numerous people answered to see flaws in the voting system and prefer the political systems of their home country, or their participation in institutions like the EU. Still, it was apparent that many Europeans do put trust in America’s plan to solve international problems and value the States as a reliable ally.

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By: Sage Lahmers

From October 31st to November 13th, leaders worldwide met in Glasgow, UK,

including the US, Brazil, China, and

for the UN Climate Change

Russia, promised to end deforestation

Conference. 120 world leaders, 197

and degradation by 2030. This

parties, and 40,000+ people from

agreement covers 85% of the world’s

governments, civil societies, businesses,

forests. If implemented, this would be a

and organizations came together to

significant accomplishment in slowing

fight against the growing climate crisis.

global warming. However, some groups

There was some consensus that our

have criticized the agreement because

time for successful action is running

similar plans have failed in the past.

out. This article will cover the key takeaways from the event and share insight into whether the promises made in Glasgow will actually be enough to slow climate change to a reasonable level.

More than 100 countries, including the US, have signed the global methane pledge, which would cut emissions by 30% in 2030 and could reduce warming by 0.2 degrees Celsius by 2050. This is part of a push by the Biden Administration, who also announced that the EPA would limit methane from

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Leaders from over 100 countries,

about 1 million gas and oil rigs across the US.

COP 26 was unique in that it explicitly targeted fossil fuels. There was a decent consensus that speeding electric vehicle growth would be beneficial. However, there was not a consensus on how much fossil fuels needed to be cut. China and India often used weaker language, calling for a phase-down instead of a phase-out.

Another controversial topic was whether to compensate developing nations for global warming-related damage that they didn’t cause.

Although rich countries only account for 12% of the world population, they are responsible for 50% of the greenhouse emissions over the last 170 years.

One of the biggest complaints about COP 26 was the lack of representation. The majority of the attendees were older men, while those most passionate about climate change are often young women. To many of the older individuals at COP climate change will not affect them quite as drastically in their lifetime, so they may be less urgent in their push for slowing climate change.

The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, a group of private-sector investors, launched in April with $5 trillion to "achieve net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest." That number has moved up to $130 trillion, which would be enough for the private sector to do its part in reaching net zero.

Another bit of progress was the joint agreement from the US and China, the world’s biggest polluters, to do more to cut emissions. China also promised to develop a plan to reduce methane emissions for the first time.

Experts have stated that the agreements made in Glasgow are improvements. However, successful implementation is vital . The promises made may not be quite enough to slow climate change as dramatically as we are hoping to unless nations meet some of their loftier goals.

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LOBBYING IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION By: Susannah Mayall

Election campaigns are expensive. By November 2020, both the Trump campaign and Biden campaign had raised and spent over $1 billion. Over $625 million of these funds were contributed by private companies for lobbying purposes. Lobbying is the legal attempt of businesses, groups, or charities to persuade the government to change its policies in their favor.

Ingrained in U.S. politics, lobbying was highly influential in the 2020 Presidential Election.

Campaigns are largely dependent on lobbying. However, at the start of his campaign, Biden pledged to not accept donations from super PACs, and has spoken out against the heavy role lobbying has in legislation.

Unfortunately, avoiding lobbyists was easier said than done. In 2019, the

Given the expensive nature of campaigns, the most effective lobbying

received over $200,000 from lobbying

method is donating hefty contributions

firms, including $6,000 from Google.

to persuade the candidate to support

Shortly after this was discovered, Biden

specific legislation in their group’s

Campaign spokesperson Matt Hill

interest. The conditional payments

promised to return it (it is unclear if

made by lobbyists are the most

they did), and claimed that Biden was

significant contributions made in

trying to "fight the influence of

elections, for politicians to publicly

corporations and special interests in

support for a cause, and, if elected,

our political system.” Nevertheless,

turn interests into legislations. Lobbyists

lobbying is still seen in Biden’s

use super political action committees

campaign in more subtle ways.

(SuperPACs) to donate to presidential campaigns because there is a $5,600

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Biden Campaign was found to have

limit on individual donations as a loophole.

Biden’s kickoff fundraiser in April 2019

The impact of lobbying, however, is a

was in association with David L.Cohen,

lot more evident in Trump’s 2020

the chief lobbyist for Comcast. Cohen

campaign. This is because, in 2017, a

went on to raise over $100,000 for the

super PAC called America First Action

Biden Campaign. In return, Biden

was established to aid Trump’s

nominated Cohen to be the US

campaign. In September 2020, over

ambassador to Canada in July 2021.

$42 million was raised for Trump’s

Moreover, Biden also has ties to the

reelection. America First Action

successful lobbying firm Ricchetti Inc.,

attempted to enhance Trump’s position

whose clients include Amazon and TC

in key states, and spent over $40

Energy. The CEO of the company, Jeff

million on advertising in Florida,

Ricchetti, is brothers with one of

Pennsylvania, North Carolina and

Biden’s advisors, Steve Ricchetti, and

Winsconsin. It is suspected to have

also has other family ties to the Biden

channeled donations from franchises

Administration. Ricchetti Inc. boomed

such as Marvel Entertainment and

in 2021, with revenue going up from

members of the Church of Scientology.

$635,000 in 2020 (pre election) to

However, the list of its donors has not

$2.4 million in 2021. Biden’s role in this

been officially disclosed. Outside of

is undisclosed; however, Ricchetti’s

America First Action, Trump received

surge in major clients is most likely

$10 million from Kelcy Warren of Energy

related to his connections in the White

Transfers. Energy Transfers owns the

House. This shows how lobbying played

Dakota Access Pipeline, which Biden

an influential role in the Biden

threatened to shut down during his

campaign because of the funding it

campaign. Whilst unsuccessful, funding

provided, despite Biden’s criticism of

Trump was an attempt to maintain the

the practice.

security of her company.

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Furthermore, an influential, honourable mention that both parties tried to please was the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). The AIPAC is arguably one of the most important lobbies in US politics, and gaining their support is vital for a successful presidential campaign. Both candidates’ desires to stay in favor with the AIPAC is seen through their

In summary, lobbying has immense

interactions with the committee. Biden

power over US politics through funds

repeatedly returns to the AIPAC Policy

the regular citizen cannot compete

Conferences to reinstate his opinion,

with. The financial support from

and to avoid coming across as anti-

lobbyists for both campaigns

Israel. This is an important part of his

significantly influenced the 2020

election campaign because, if Biden

Presidential Election. Trump, whilst

was considered anti-Zionist, the AIPAC

ultimately unsuccessful, benefited

would funnel money to other

greatly from lobbying, including having

Democratic candidates, as well as

a personal super PAC set up for his re-

Trump, to ensure Biden did not end up

election, and evidence of the impact of

in office. Similarly, Trump also worked

lobbying can be seen in his term as

to prove his support by granting

President as well. Biden’s support from

policies the AIPAC advocated for

lobbying may be more subtle, but was

during his term in office. This included

still there in the form of David L.Cohen

moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem,

(and potentially Ricchetti Inc.). On a

cutting funds to Palestinians, and

shared ground, in the run up to their

pushing allies to increase the harshness

campaigns, both Biden and Trump

of the Iran nuclear deal. Trump gained

sought to win the approval of the

power in the AIPAC through actions

American Israel Public Affairs

such as these.

Committee to allow them a genuine chance at office. Overall, neither campaign would have received the publicity that it did without the financial support of lobbying companies.

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By: Hanna Matsukawa

A year after the contentious presidential

The two main types of gerrymandering are

election of 2020, it is already time to start

packing and cracking. Packing is

looking ahead to the 2022 midterm

concentrating voters of the same party in

elections. Approval ratings, voter concerns,

one district. Cracking separates voters of

and political actions are just a few, of the

similar groups into different districts. Thus,

many, factors that will affect the outcome

gerrymandering dilutes the votes of some

of the midterm elections. Another dire

and strengthens the influence of others.

determinant of the elections lies in the

Sometimes this is done to offset the power

2021 redrawing of district lines and the

imbalance of minority groups, but it is also

use of gerrymandering.

used to weaken their voice and suppress their vote.

Legislative and congressional district lines are redrawn every ten years, after the United States census. While nearly half of the states are redistricted by commissions, many states have legislative bodies redraw district lines. Gerrymandering is when legislators create electoral districts that benefit one political party over another through disproportionate representation. In 1812, under the administration of Elbridge Gerry, the governor of Massachusetts, senatorial district lines were drawn to benefit the Democratic-Republicans, and to minimize the power of the Federalists.

One such district resembled a salamander.

This prompted a political cartoon to call it the “Gerry-mander”, thus sealing the name for all future action.

Racial gerrymandering is a recurring issue often brought to court. The 1986 Thornburg v. Gingles case established rules for creating majority-minority districts, districts in which racial minorities are the majority.

Majority-minority districts can be formed as long as the racial minority “is sufficiently numerous and compact to form a majority in a single-member district, is politically cohesive, and if the majority sufficiently votes together to defeat the minority’s preferred candidate.” Gerrymandering based on race alone has been deemed unconstitutional, and in the past decade there have been a number of court cases contesting the constitutionality of specific districts. The line between gerrymandering to suppress minorities and to increase minority representation appears thin.

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This power to shift representation has caused frequent debate. Various solutions to prevent gerrymandering have been proposed. One controversial solution is to measure the efficiency gap of districts to determine the use of gerrymandering. The efficiency gap can be measured by calculating wasted votes. Next is to “divide the net wasted voters by the total number of votes cast for that state in the specific election. The final efficiency gap measure tells if one party won a larger number of seats as compared to a neutral district plan.” Comparing the number of votes to the number of seats won can determine if

Though criticism of gerrymandering is as old as the name, legislators of both parties continue to use gerrymandering to their advantage. According to the Center for American Progress, an average of 59 seats in the House of Representatives shifted in the elections of 2012, 2014, and 2016 due to gerrymandering. Twenty of these seats shifted in favor of Democrats, while thirtynine shifted in favor of Republicans.

partisan gerrymandering was used.

Some proposed districts are drawn

Redistricting based on the 2020 census is

according to algorithms, creating districts

now underway and the tension is high.

“based on equal numbers of voters and

Already, projected wins and potential

compactness.” Some propose completely

House seats have shifted. With the United

changing the whole voting system. Another

States’ increasing political division,

solution, already in practice in many states,

partisan gerrymandering will likely affect

is the use of independent commissions;

the results of the 2022 midterm elections

theoretically, independent commissions

and the political fabric of the next ten

draw district lines without the partisan bias

years.

of state legislators. While on paper this might seem like a fair solution, critics of independent commissions argue that in practice, it is difficult to compose nonpartisan commissions.

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ONE YEAR IN:

COMPARING THE BIDEN AND TRUMP ADMINISTRATIONS By: Ting Cui

It’s been a year since Joe Biden was elected as the 46th President of the United States, defeating former President Donald Trump. Joe

Biden won the 2020 Presidential Campaign on his “electability” factor and being anti-Trump.

As president, he has so far kept his promise of trying to be the opposite of his predecessor.

But how do the two administration’s actions compare one year into their respective presidencies? Moreover, how do you even compare them?

To start, it is hard to compare Trump’s first term to Biden’s because the latter inherited a raging pandemic and politically polarized country. The first cases of the coronavirus were reported by the World Health Organization in early January of 2020 and has since become the worst health crisis facing the global community in more than a century. It has taken a particular toll on the United States. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic has dominated the global economy and political agendas that Biden’s presidency has had to contend with.

When Trump campaigned for President, he sold the American public on the idea that he was a successful businessman who could engineer an American resurgence. The economic policy of the Donald Trump administration was characterized by the individual and corporate tax cuts, attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, trade protectionism, immigration restriction, deregulation focused on the energy and financial sectors, and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. During Trump’s last term, the United States economy took a hard hit from the effects of the pandemic, tasking the next president with a difficult challenge. Biden was burdened with the responsibility of managing the nation’s economic recovery after a global pandemic caused unemployment to surge to levels not seen since the great depression.

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Biden’s policies focused on relief efforts and implementing measures for economic recovery. He pursued an inclusive economic policy, in his American Rescue Plan, to help households whose livelihoods had been exacerbated by the pandemic. While Biden continues strategizing around stimulating the economy, we have no way of knowing how the Trump administration would have responded regarding stimulus.

Another major milestone of the administration’s first year was when President Biden signed the $1 trillion dollar Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into

In terms of similarities between Biden and Trump, even prior to the pandemic, both administrations have in common a focus on ‘buy American,’ with policies designed towards US procurement of US goods and services. Accordingly, multinational corporations from across the globe have stepped up their FDI to the US and bolstered their current manufacturing and employment bases, both during Trump’s presidency as well as in the initial months of the Biden administration.

law. This is a key piece of his domestic spending agenda that will funnel billions to states and local governments to upgrade outdated roads, bridges, transit systems, and more. The spending includes $400 billion on a new federal program for clean energy research and innovation, $100 billion to modernize schools, $50 billion on repairing roads, bridges, and highways in his first year in office, $20 billion on rural broadband infrastructure, and $10 billion for transit projects that serve high-poverty areas with limited transportation options. The plan will be paid for by reviewing tax cuts, reducing tax fraud, and ending subsidies for fossil fuels.

Trump also sought an infrastructure bill during his presidency that he wanted included in the next congressional coronavirus relief package. However,

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Trump didn’t have a plan to pay for it and instead referenced low borrowing rates.

A lot has been said in recent months of the similarities between Trump and Biden in terms of foreign policy. In short: while it seems that the US’s rhetoric has changed under Biden, the substance has not. The trade war with China was the centerpiece of Trump's trade policy during his first term. He promised to put "America first" in all dealings with countries and penalize those the US has a high trade deficit with or he believed are unfairly taxing American companies overseas. Angering Beijing while the overburdened US healthcare system depends on China for medical supplies was a risk. Biden plans to help America's position in the global economy by investing at home in innovation and the middle classes first. He promises to do this before entering any new trade agreements.

He also says the best way to confront China on intellectual property and technology transfers is by forming a coalition with allies and partners, not through unilateral tariffs.

Although the tone might be less inflammatory, the Biden administration has clearly continued a policy of suspicion over China, and continues to voice concern over the ‘imbalanced’ economic relationship between the two countries.

There are a number of policy differences between these two administrations, but their stances are more similar than the media portrays. It is the stark personality and deliverance of these messages that is different. Overall, the Biden administration has done a fair job of managing the effects of the pandemic it inherited while moving forward on its policies agendas such as the infrastructure bill and social spending bill it hopes to pass. The next thing to look at is how Biden’s prospects in Congress will change after next year’s midterms and whether or not Democrats will hold control. If they lose the majority, the chances of Biden passing his intended legislation will become slim.

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BIDEN'S APPROACH AND SUCCESSES WITH COVID-19 By: Isabella Rinaldi

Upon entering the White House as our President, one of Joe Biden’s main campaign promises was to get the Coronavirus under control. This was a key factor for voters when deciding to vote for Donald Trump or Biden in the 2020 election. Trump’s approach to tackling Covid during his presidency really had no approach at all significantly worsening many aspects of our economy and society, as well as nationwide health. But Biden did have a plan - he aimed to hit a goal of 200 million vaccine doses administered within his first 100 days as president, He also promised a hefty goal to get 70% of U.S. adults vaccinated by July 4th.

This goal was largely missed, but subsequently reached in August. The Delta variant had threatened COVID-19 progress, and the fears from this variant had only worsened by majority red states who had less strict mask and vaccine mandates. A USA TODAY/Ipsos poll found that 61% of the people want to get vaccinated or are vaccinated for the common good, while 39% do not want to or do not think it should be forced due to “personal liberty”. This majority view is not too popular, however, nearly 1 in 5 people say they hadn't gotten a COVID-19 shot and don't plan to anytime soon. Consequently, in lower vaccinated communities, an influx in Covid cases and deaths increased. In September, seeing the dire need for more vaccinations, Biden unveiled a six-part plan requiring vaccinations for nearly 100 million Americans. This plan includes those working in the private-sector, federal gov, health facilities, and schools.

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From the beginning of his campaign, Biden emphasized the need for mask mandates in our country considering the influx of Covid cases. While Biden has worked closely with governors to carry this out, many states such as Florida, Arizona, and Texas have either gotten rid of the mask mandate or never implemented it in the first place. Despite this, Biden has signed executive orders to require masks on federal grounds and transportation- this order being extended until next year.

Although it may seem as thought the unprecedented impacts of the pandemic are perpetual, we have seen significant improvement. 60% of the US population has been fully vaccinated, Covid death rates have significantly disagrated since influx in vaccination rates, vaccinations have been made available for children 5-12 booster shots have made Americans even more resistant to the spread of Covid, and according to the CDC, the country is in a far better position regarding vaccination data on breakthroughs and boosters. . However, there is still much work to be done, and especially as we approach the holiday season it is crucial to stay safe and make smart choices to protect ourselves. We can appreciate the changes and progress we’ve already made to help protect our communities, loved ones, and nation, even if they are incremental.

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Founder and Co-Exec. Director

Rebecca Joseph

Walnut Creek, CA | 16 years old My name is Rebecca Joseph and I am a high school sophomore from the Bay Area. I got interested in politics during my first year of high school where I joined the Speech and Debate team. From there I fell in love with the world of politics but soon became aware of the lack of representation women were getting in the field. I wanted to be part of a community of teens who want to support each other and the younger generation to pursue a career in politics; however, I was unable to find anything, so I started Women In Politics. Now, over a year later I have been blessed with an amazing team and I cannot wait for all we are going to accomplish.

Please enjoy this issue!

Co-Exec. Director Katherine Bronov

Philadelphia, PA | 18 years old My name is Katherine Bronov and I am an online high school senior from the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA. I have been passionate about politics since the start of high school and I have searched for organizations and clubs that interest me but found nothing until Women In Politics (WIP) caught my eye. WIP is a very special organization and fascinatingly the first of its kind. I am so grateful to be a part of this team and work alongside girls that are just as enthusiastic about politics as I am and recognize the shortage of women in this important field. Please enjoy this issue!

Christine Corry

Sacramento, CA | 17 years old

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Magazine Manager

Writing Leader San Francisco, CA | 15 years old

Lily Veits | Annalese Cahill| Veronica Rohling | Isabella Rinaldi | Sara Keegan

Editor Leader

Cedar Roach

EDITORS

Isabella Rinaldi

Dallas, TX | 18 years old

Magazine Design Leader

Sara Keegan

New York, NY | 17 years old

Rachel Baumann | Katherine B

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Maci DemMott | Oliva Massey | Ella Grady | Kaylyn Allingham | Lior Cooper | Lila Rowland | Lily Sun | Bella Jasper

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