Elections Matter | Blog Post 2 SPC2608 Group 1 | Alexis Arias

 Elections Matter Presentations Reflection

Alexis Arias | 11/2/2026

     After watching the different group presentations, I realized how many important topics connect to elections, government, and our everyday lives. Each group focused on a different subject, but I noticed that many of the topics overlapped. Some presentations discussed how government decisions affect students and families, while others explained how elections and voting influence the country. I enjoyed listening to the different perspectives because it helped me understand these subjects beyond just reading about them in a textbook.

     Group 1 focused on immigration policies in the United States. Amelia Perez introduced the topic by explaining that immigration policies determine who can enter, stay, and work within a country's borders. I thought this was a good way to introduce the subject because immigration is something that affects many communities, especially Miami-Dade. Catherine Guillen continued by explaining the different parts of immigration policy, including visas, permanent residency, naturalization, and humanitarian protection. I learned that immigration policy is not just one law but a system of rules and procedures.

     Another part that stood out to me was Diego Reyes's discussion of how immigration policies affect college students and the Miami-Dade community. He explained that these policies can influence international student requirements, tuition, residency, and employment authorization. He also mentioned that Miami-Dade has a large foreign-born population, which makes immigration an important local issue. Brock Gandarillas added to this by explaining how immigration policies can affect students through tuition classifications, employment, and family circumstances. I found this interesting because even students who are not personally dealing with immigration applications can still be affected through their families or communities.

     Alejandro Lander also discussed resources that students and families can use, including USCIS and legal assistance organizations. I thought this was useful because it showed that knowing where to find reliable information is just as important as understanding the policies themselves. My section included questions that our group asked the Florida Immigration Director. I discussed how immigration policies can affect communities, college students, and families, as well as the resources students should know about. I liked being able to include information from an actual interview because it gave the presentation another perspective. Remas concluded by explaining that immigration policies affect education, employment, families, and everyday life, especially in a diverse community like Miami-Dade. Overall, I thought this presentation did a good job connecting a national issue to situations that students can understand.

     Group 2 focused on voting rights and election systems. One of the things I enjoyed about this topic was learning how voting has changed throughout American history. Holly Yu explained the expansion of voting rights through amendments such as the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments. I found it interesting that voting rights were not always available to everyone and that different laws and movements helped expand participation. She also explained how voting methods changed over time, from publicly announcing votes to paper ballots and modern voting systems.

     Danielle Gonzalez discussed the development of political parties and campaigns. She explained how campaigns have changed through different forms of communication, including rallies, radio, television, and social media. She also mentioned organizations such as the League of Women Voters, NAACP, and ACLU, which have helped protect voting rights. Evan Oliveras compared election systems in different countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. I thought this comparison was interesting because it showed that democracies do not all use the same process. Daniela Perez discussed voting requirements and campaign financing, while Manfred Wiltz explained the Electoral College and how election systems work. The presentation concluded with Remas emphasizing that elections help citizens choose representatives and hold leaders accountable. This presentation helped me understand that voting is more complicated than simply showing up and choosing a candidate.

     Group 3 discussed education policies and how they affect students. Jimmy Valdivia started with a question about what students would do if their financial aid suddenly disappeared. I thought this was an effective way to get the audience thinking because it is something that could directly affect college students. He explained that losing financial aid could force students to work more hours, take out loans, use personal savings, or take fewer classes. This could also delay graduation and make it harder to balance school with other responsibilities.

     Janelle Aboujaoude continued by discussing education in Miami-Dade County and how government policies affect students. She talked about testing, classroom requirements, school safety, and the resources available to students. I liked that she connected the subject to local schools because it made the information feel more relevant. She also explained how elections connect to education because elected officials and school board members can influence school funding, teacher support, and educational programs. This made me think about how decisions made by people in government can affect students even when those students are not directly involved in politics. The presentation helped me understand that education policies are not just rules for schools; they can influence the opportunities students have throughout their lives.

     Group 4 focused on the economy and its impact on everyday life. Amelia Perez introduced the topic by explaining how larger economic trends, such as inflation, interest rates, and job markets, affect our spending and overall cost of living. I thought this topic was especially relatable because everyone experiences changes in prices, whether it is groceries, gas, transportation, or housing.

     Shannon Bernard Libby discussed how rising costs affect larger families. She used an interview with a family member and explained the challenges families face with food prices, gas, childcare, and healthcare. I thought her examples made the subject more personal because she explained how these expenses affect real families instead of only discussing statistics. Lajahnique Olive discussed different political viewpoints about how the government should manage the economy. She explained that Democrats and Republicans generally have different approaches involving taxes, regulations, government spending, and public programs. She also included an interview with a former government official from the U.S. Virgin Islands, who discussed economic challenges and the territory's dependence on tourism.

     Rosangela Ruiz explained how global trade affects the economy, including consumer prices, international markets, and employment opportunities. Riley Potter discussed gas prices and the cost of living, emphasizing how decisions made on a larger scale can eventually affect people's everyday expenses. Melani Hernandez focused on housing and rent in Florida, comparing the advantages and disadvantages of renting and buying a home. Thu Le explained how jobs, unemployment, and government decisions affect college students and families. Finally, Oriana Gonzalez discussed small businesses and how rising expenses and immigration-related uncertainty can affect business owners, workers, and customers. Remas concluded by connecting the different subjects, explaining how economic pressures affect family budgets, students, housing, jobs, and businesses.

     Overall, I enjoyed these presentations because they helped me understand how different government decisions connect to our everyday lives. My biggest takeaway was that topics such as immigration, education, elections, and the economy are not separate from us. They can affect our families, college experiences, future careers, and communities. I also liked hearing examples from interviews and personal experiences because they made the information easier to connect with. After listening to everyone, I understand why it is important to stay informed, recognize reliable sources, and pay attention to issues that can affect our future. These presentations showed me that being informed is not only about knowing what is happening in the country, but also understanding how those events can affect the people around us.