Today’s Bwoglines is here to remind you that your voice matters! Editor’s note: mentions of death.

Happening in the World: Amid Halloween festivities in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul, South Korea, at least 154 people died and 133 were injured Saturday night when a large crowd surged into a narrow alley in the nightlife area. Local officials have stated the majority of those affected were in their teens and 20s, with eyewitnesses reporting people falling on top of one another and being trampled in a crowd of as many as 100,000. The crowd crush marks the deadliest peacetime disaster in South Korea since the sinking of MV Sewol, which killed more than 300 people in 2014. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared a period of national mourning from now until November 5, during which all public institutions and diplomatic offices will fly flags at half staff. (CNN)

Happening in the US: Recent permitless carry laws in states including Idaho, Kentucky, and Texas are raising new dilemmas for law enforcement leaders and the public alike. UCLA law professor Adam Winkler and expert on gun policy has stated that eliminating the permit requirement means anyone can carry a firearm on the street, making it “harder…for others to figure out whether that person has a bad intent or not.” (AP)

Happening in NYC: Across the five boroughs, Saturday morning marked the start of early voting for the general election and the first time New Yorkers can cast early ballots for governor. Early voting began in New York in 2019, set forth to encourage greater voter turnout and reduce long lines at voting sites. This year, schools, churches, and even the Metropolitan Museum are serving as poll sites as New Yorkers cast their votes for statewide seats, Congress, and the governorship. Those at the polls cited a range of concerns on their mind this election cycle, ranging from voter suppression to abortion access following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. (Gothamist)

Happening in Our Community: On Monday, October 31, join Kent Program Director Jean-Marie Guéheno and Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs Arancha González for the panel discussion, “A World in Turmoil and What to Do About It: A View from Europe.” Together, the two will lead a talk on Europe’s position and role in world affairs as an emerging regulatory leader, touching upon the war in Ukraine and other pressing global matters such as climate change. The event will take place in Room 1512 of the International Affairs Building from 1 to 2:30 pm. Registration is not required.

Vote, vote, vote! via Lawfare