Katherine Mata Blog #2

Elections Matter Project reflection

Politics has always been a subject that interests me because I enjoy understanding how government decisions, laws, and public policies shape our society. As someone interested in political science and pursuing a future in law, I find it important to stay informed about the issues affecting our communities and country. The Elections Matter project allowed me to explore four major political topics: the electorate and election process, education policies, immigration policies, and the economy. Each group approached its topic differently, giving us the opportunity to understand how these issues influence our communities, state, and country.

Group #1, The Electorate and Election process

The first group presented the electorate and election process. I found this topic important because elections are one of the primary ways citizens participate in a democratic system. I learned more about voter participation, political representation, and how individual votes contribute to decisions that affect society. I think this group could have improved its presentation by discussing voter behavior, political participation among younger generations, and the influence of media on elections. These factors are important when understanding why people vote the way they do.

Group #2, Education Policies

The second group focused on education policies. As a college student, I found this topic particularly relevant because educational policies directly influence our opportunities and futures. Government decisions regarding financial aid, tuition, funding, and accessibility can determine whether students have the resources necessary to pursue higher education. One improvement I would suggest is including more comparisons between state and federal education policies and explaining how they affect college students specifically.

Group #3, Immigration Policies

My group, Group 3, was responsible for immigration policies. This topic was especially meaningful to me because I am an immigrant myself. Unlike some of the other subjects, immigration was not simply something I was researching for an assignment. It was connected to my personal experiences and my family's history. Our presentation focused on current immigration issues, particularly the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the way the current administration is handling immigration enforcement. We examined how these policies affect immigrant communities and why immigration continues to be such a debated political issue.

Another interesting part of our research was comparing American immigration policies with those of other countries, especially Canada. This allowed us to understand that immigration is not approached the same way everywhere. Examining Canada's immigration system gave us another perspective on how governments establish requirements, manage immigration, and address their economic and social needs. I enjoyed this comparison because it encouraged me to look beyond American politics and consider how different countries handle similar challenges.

We also researched organizations that provide assistance to immigrants. Nationally, we included the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). Locally, we examined the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FILC) and AI Justice. Learning about these organizations helped me understand that there are resources available to immigrant communities, particularly when individuals need legal information, assistance, or support. We wanted our digital brochure to provide more than political information; we also wanted it to direct people toward organizations that could help them.

One of the most meaningful parts of our project was interviewing my parents. Both of my parents are immigrants, and they are also business owners. Hearing their perspectives allowed me to connect our research with real-life experiences. They were able to share their experiences as immigrants and discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with building a life in another country. Their perspectives as business owners also added another dimension to our discussion because immigration is connected to entrepreneurship, employment, and economic participation. Interviewing them reminded me that immigration debates are not just about laws or government policies. They involve real people, families, and communities. I believe our group could have improved by incorporating even more firsthand perspectives or interviews with people specialized in the topic, such as immigration lawyers. 

Group #4, Economy

The fourth group presented the economy. I found this topic important because economic policies influence employment, inflation, taxation, businesses, and the cost of living. Their presentation also connected with my group's topic because immigration and the economy are closely related. My parents' experiences as business owners made me particularly interested in how immigration intersects with entrepreneurship and the workforce. I think this group could have improved by including more international comparisons and explaining how economic policies affect college students financially.

Looking at all four presentations together, I realized that these issues cannot be examined independently. Elections determine who has the authority to make political decisions, and those decisions influence education, immigration, and the economy. The presentations also reminded me of concepts from our public speaking chapters, particularly researching credible sources, supporting arguments with evidence, organizing information, adapting to an audience, and incorporating visual media.

Final reflection

Finally, reflecting on the November 2026 elections made this project even more relevant. These elections reminded me that political decisions can influence the direction of our communities and country. As college students, we should understand the policies being discussed rather than relying entirely on political opinions or information shared through social media. I believe becoming politically informed means researching issues, examining different perspectives, and understanding how government decisions affect our everyday lives.

Altogether, this project strengthened my interest in politics and gave me the opportunity to explore an issue that is personally important to me. Interviewing my parents was probably the most meaningful part because it allowed me to connect political policies with the experiences of people closest to me. It reminded me that politics is not just about government institutions, elections, or legislation. It is also about people, families, opportunities, and the communities we build. As someone interested in pursuing a career in law, I found this project valuable because it encouraged me to look beyond political opinions, examine different perspectives, and understand the human experiences behind important political issues.

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