WashU, like most other majority-liberal universities, is a bubble; however, Missouri is not. Some of the communities most impacted by this year’s election results are just outside the gates of WashU, and stepping out of the campus ecosystem is a crucial step in enacting real change.

 In an exit poll conducted by Student Life, 448 voters at the WashU Athletic Complex overwhelmingly supported Democrats, including Kamala Harris for President, Lucas Kunce for Senate, and Wesley Bell for the House of Representatives. Abortion was named a key issue for a majority of voters, and more than 90% of respondents supported Amendment 3.

On June 24, 2022, Missouri became the first state to return to having a near-total abortion ban, which was triggered by the Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade. The law bans abortion, with highly limited exceptions in cases of medical emergencies, and with no exceptions for victims of rape or incest. It is widely considered one of the most restrictive in the United States.

As college students, we need to understand and talk about how abortion bans affect us and our close communities. As human beings, we need to understand, discuss, and feel outraged about abortion bans for what they are — a public-health crisis.

If you’re a Democrat, like I am, you might wonder, what’s the point of voting here, dropping a speck of blue into a sea of red? If this is a factor you find yourself considering, do not let a sense of powerlessness deter you from voting in Missouri, for there are key issues where your vote really can influence change.

The Washington University College Democrats and WashU College Republicans (WUCR) debated abortion, gun violence, climate change, the Israel-Hamas war, and the Russia-Ukraine war in their semesterly Campus Crossfire in Tisch Commons, April 24. 

The Student Life Editorial Board encourages WashU students to register to vote in Missouri and support this vital initiative.

As proud and open supporters of abortion access, we were disappointed by the Chancellor’s lukewarm public stance on abortion. We feel a moral responsibility to speak out and ask for more from the University.

We all care deeply about abortion and reproductive freedom — which is why we are taking the time to share more about why these rights are so important, what is on the line, and how we can come together and address the newest assaults on reproductive freedom in this country.

In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, a panel of specialists and social workers from activist organizations, including Pro-Choice Missouri and Medical Students For Choice (MSFC), explored the implications of Missouri’s ban on abortion rights for state residents on Oct. 24.