It is in the best interest of every American, New Yorker and Baruch College student to continue participating in our political system outside of election years.

Simplifying political engagement to the presidential election only inhibits our ability to fully exercise our right to vote by reducing the race to what it has become: a popularity contest.

Too many New Yorkers are sitting out on election day. The Daily News reported that last month’s presidential election only brought out a mere 54% of registered voters in the city, which is the 49th highest turnout among 50 cities ranked by the Gothamist. Where was everyone else?

The upcoming mayoral election is a great way to get involved. In 2025, New Yorkers will choose the new mayor, comptroller, public advocate and City Council. These positions are occupied by locally-elected people who have a direct impact on our lives.

When Mayor Eric Adams was elected in 2021, the Daily News confirmed that only 23% of registered voters in New York participated in the election.

Adams is up for re-election against a slate of competition. It is time for New York City to turn out en masse and finally elect a mayor who reflects the city’s working-class values.

Zohran Mamdani, a state assemblyman from Queens, is running to stop rent increases that have taken place under Adams’s tenure. Sen. Zellnor Myrie is proposing free after-school programs and Sen. Jessica Ramos has focused on making the city more affordable.

As former Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz , “If you are really not that into politics, that’s too bad, because politics is into you.”

New Yorkers, it’s time to thoughtfully participate in the electoral system—even in odd years—and start by directing our attention toward choosing a mayor who will champion policies that reflect the diverse needs and aspirations of our communities.