Ashli Howell, Staff Writer
I opened last week’s edition of The Sentinel to find a few quotes from students who appeared very apathetic about the upcoming election. I have been a political news junkie since I was in utero – I like to think Anderson Cooper and I have that in common – so to say that I was astonished is an understatement. This has been happening to me quite frequently lately. Everywhere I turn, it seems, I see new statistics about the lack of voter turnout and registration.
Voting is the single most important civic opportunity afforded to American citizens, but it seems that many eligible voters do not vote. According to bipartisanpolicy.org, an estimated 93 million eligible voters did not vote in the 2012 election cycle – a presidential election cycle. In the midterm election cycle in 2010, non-voters were the majority. According to Project Vote, around 71 percent of eligible voters did not vote in 2010.
What’s worse, however, is that college-aged voters historically turnout in much smaller numbers than any other age group. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 38 percent of people ages 18 to 24 voted in the 2012 election, compared to nearly 50 percent of 25 to 44 year olds, 63 percent of 45 to 64 year olds, and nearly 70 percent of those over the age of 65. Even worse is that only 24 percent of college-aged students turned out for the 2010 mid-term elections.
Is it apathy? According to the Campus Vote Project, the answer is no. In 2010, only 13 percent of college students said the reason they did not participate was because they didn’t care. However, more than a quarter of college students reported they didn’t know how to register, where to vote, or they missed the deadline.
Unfortunately, the deadline to register to vote in this year’s mid-term election was Oct. 6. If you’re not registered to vote, register. You can register to vote online at the Secretary of State’s website or you can find a mail-in voter registration form at your local election office, public library, and a plethora of other locations. You are also able to register to vote when you renew or apply for your driver’s license. College students can also obtain voter registration forms for their home state at their school’s registrar office or at the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. There are still over 700 days until the 2016 presidential election, but register now.
While nearly 40 percent of college-aged students are not registered to vote, over 60 percent are. Go vote. If you’re unsure of where to vote, you can go to mvp.sos.ga.gov to find your polling place. Once you find your voting location, you’ll need a photo ID. The following forms of ID are accepted at all polling locations: valid state of federal government issued photo ID (including the free Voter ID card), a Georgia Drivers License (even if it is expired), a valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity in the United States, a valid U.S. passport, valid U.S. military ID, and valid Tribal ID.
If you’re unsure who is on the ballot, you can view a Sample Ballot at mvp.sos.ga.gov. Statewide offices that are up for grabs this election cycle are United States Senate, Secretary of State, State School Superintendent, Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Labor, Lieutenant Governor, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor, Public Service Commissioner, Commissioner of Insurance, and other offices depending on your county. There are also two proposed Constitutional Amendments and a Statewide Referendum. It doesn’t take long to research the candidates and find out who you believe will represent you best.
The Sentinel is released weekly on Tuesdays. If you’re reading this on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and you’re registered to vote, put this paper down and go vote. Election day precinct hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re not registered to vote, register. It doesn’t take much time and it is our most important civic duty.
