Before the race for governor was shrouded in controversy and a possible December runoff, young women and men across the Atlanta University Center all joined hands and came together as one for the victory of our fellow Spelman sister, Stacey Abrams. This race is extremely important to the state of Georgia because if Abrams does in fact win, it could help Georgia become a blue state for the first time since 1960.

Republican candidate Brian Kemp is currently Georgia’s Secretary of State — a position that puts him in charge of elections in the state and has fueled concern about a potential conflict of interest. He and Abrams have been campaigning heavily for the past four weeks to fight for this victory.

Students throughout the AUC were out voting to ensure their respective first choices will be put into office. Many students such as Lauren Bailey of Spelman College have been encouraging people on all her social media platforms to go out and be the change they want to see by voting for Abrams.

“Encouraging people, especially my peers, to get out and vote in society today is so important to me,” she said. “Following this election as it progressed made me realize how serious voting is if we want a change for the state of Georgia.”

This election has caused a media frenzy that has touched all around the United States. Many celebrities including Oprah, John Legend and Common have been canvassing and standing in support of Abrams winning this race. On Election Day, inside Chick-fil-A in Kilgore Hall Ms. Jasmine, a well-known employee, was eager for the students she serves daily to get out and vote for Abrams if they have not already.

“When I was 19 and 20 nobody was pushing me to vote and I didn’t push myself because I didn’t understand what my vote meant really,” she said. “Now that I’m older and I’ve been able to see the impact of what voting and not voting can do, I just want to encourage y’all to do something that could benefit our state and your future as a college student in residing in Georgia.”

Jasmine and many other young adults in the AUC want to be a part of the change the state of Georgia desperately needs to see. However, other faculty and staff on campus have been advising their students to get registered and vote for weeks. Professors such as Dr. Adria Welcher in the Sociology Department have been encouraging students in her classes to vote for Abrams since Homecoming Week in late October.

“Voting today will make the changes for tomorrow that will affect our future,” she said.

During the evening of the election, the Douglass Academic Resource Center had many students within the space discussing the future of the state of Georgia. Many discussed what it would mean if Abrams is elected. The consensus was clear: if  Abrams is able to secure a runoff and become governor of our state, the changes she’ll bring to Georgia will be more than welcome.