The midterm elections are crucial to Wheaton College, Massachusetts, and to the United States of America as 35 Senate seats and all 435 House seats are up for re-election. Across campus and social media, Wheaton students are reminded that their vote is important

When it comes to the Senate, Massachusetts Republicans are working on selecting a nominee to run against Senator Elizabeth Warren. She has gone on record and said, she “will be taking a hard look” at converting her prep work into an official campaign for the presidency in 2020, once the midterm elections are completed, making this election crucial in determining the future moves of the Democratic Party. She has three Republican candidates to contend with: Geoff Diehl, a state representative; John Kingston, a business executive; and Beth Lindstrom, who was a cabinet official under Gov. Mitt Romney.

As for the position of Massachusetts Governor, Jay Gonzalez leads the race against the incumbent Republican, the popular Charles Baker. In addition, Norton is a part of the Fourth Congressional District, currently represented by Joseph P. Kennedy III, with Gary Rucinski, another Democrat, running against him.

On the ballots will be three additional questions. The first concerns hospitals and other healthcare facilities, namely about the number of patients that could be assigned to each registered nurse. A “yes” vote would limit the number, while a “no” vote would indicate a preference for no change.

The second proposal deals with the creation of a citizens’ commission, which would advance an amendment to the United States Constitution to limit the influence of money in elections, and establish that corporations do not have the same rights as human beings. A “yes” vote would indicate support of the commission, and a “no” vote would be a vote against the creation of the commission.

The third and final question, besides additional local or non-binding questions, involves discrimination on the basis of gender identity. A “yes” vote would keep in place the current law, prohibiting the discrimination on the basis of gender identity in places of public accommodation, while a “no” vote would repeal this provision of the public accommodation law.