Story by DDNS Reporter Gracie Lunceford

JONESBORO, Ark. — At Arkansas State University, students are concerned about a myriad of issues during this year’s midterm elections. 

With the 2026 midterm elections coming this November, citizens are eager to vote on a range of issues. After interviewing three students at Arkansas State University, it was found that top concerns are healthcare, the rising cost of living, and protecting agriculture. Voters are seeking out candidates who are focused on protecting their community.

Evelyn Rogers, a wildlife biology major at Arkansas State, says her biggest concern is farming and agriculture. According to Rogers, the condition of the state’s agriculture is a crucial part of Arkansas’s economy and identity. 

“Supporting farmers in rural communities, while also protecting our water, land, and wildlife, is important to me because I want to see those resources available for future generations,” says Rogers. 

Although she identifies as a Democrat, Rogers agrees with the Republican Party’s support for agriculture in Arkansas.

“When it comes to supporting farmers in rural communities and protecting wildlife, I think it’s important to look at individual issues and candidates rather than automatically agreeing with everything one party represents.” 

Aspen Frank, a strategic communications major, says what is driving her to the polls is a concern about the high cost of living in Arkansas. 

“Coming from a state where every day I have to witness firsthand the suffering, [due to] the struggle that comes from high poverty rates, it’s important to me that the extra costs of living can be diminished rather than increased,” says Frank.

Along with the rising cost of living in rural areas, access to healthcare is also one of her biggest concerns, specifically as a type 1 diabetic herself. According to Frank, her firsthand experiences of receiving life-saving healthcare, but dealing with extremely high costs of medicine, have had a profound impact on her personally. 

“There are people in Arkansas that can’t even afford rent due to the overwhelming cost of medical care. Insulin is a necessity for survival, and we should not have to question whether you’ll be alive by the end of the week if your paychecks don’t come in on time,” according to Frank.

Many young people are excited to get to the polls and fulfill their civic duty as American citizens. Nathan Boone, a chemical engineering major and cadet in the Red Wolf Battalion, is passionate about voting in the midterms this year. Part of the reason for his passion comes from being in a migrant family. 

“We escaped communism,” says Boone. “I believe voting is half the luxury of being an American. You get to speak out about your government, participate; in Vietnam, if you spoke out, you were directly taken to a re-education camp.”  

This election season, many students are eager to have their voices heard on the issues that matter most to them: healthcare, agriculture, and the rising cost of living in Arkansas. 

Early voting in Arkansas begins October 19th through November 2nd, with the general election on November 3rd. In Craighead County, voters can cast ballots at the Election Annex, 315 W. Jefferson Avenue in Jonesboro, from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. This is part of the national midterm elections.

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