Students serve as important voters in presidential elections
It is a phenomenon that happens once every two or four years. A day when citizens’ voices are actually considered, in some capacity, when it comes to how the country is being run.
Welcome to Election Day.
College students tend to stand on two opposing ends of the spectrum when it comes to voting. Some are adamant supporters of the constitutional right to vote and encourage their friends to exercise that right. Others feel as though their vote won’t matter, their voices aren’t being heard and have dismissed the idea of democracy.
Both of these sentiments are well understood and can be appreciated.
However, Tuesday is the day America decides who will hold the highest office in the country. That is kind of a big deal. Especially in an election year that has been unlike any other in history.
Students are a rather important part of voting this year. Millennials showed remarkable support and criticism of candidates on social media, and the most diverse generation in American history shows it wants political change. Yet, according to Harvard’s Institute of Politics during the election midterm, less than 23 percent of young Americans say they will “definitely be voting.” Where did that enthusiasm from earlier go?
Latah County, and specifically District 5, is an influential swing-county in Idaho. That’s why UI students should consider voting in District 5 instead of in their home district. Change can happen, and it starts here.
Registration for mail-in ballots for Idaho has come and gone, but that doesn’t mean students can’t vote. On Tuesday students can show up at their polling place with an accepted form of ID such as an Idaho driver’s license, Idaho photo ID card or U.S. passport and register there. So even if a student missed the registration deadline for mail-in ballots, it isn’t too late to cast a vote.
Polls are open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, and the two polling places for Moscow are the Kibbie Dome and the Latah County Fairgrounds. Students should be aware that their polling place depends on which precinct they live in. If a student doesn’t know which precinct they belong to, simply Googling Latah County polling places allows students to enter their address, and it will guide them on which location to travel to.
It is also important to note that there are opportunities to carpool to the fairgrounds location, so it is possible to gather a group of people in order to vote.
It is vital to encourage fellow students to exercise their right to vote. In a country that has done nothing but discourage young people and has turned almost an entire generation into cynics, there needs to be some shred of hope. Some shred of change is possible this week. Tuesday in District 5 of Idaho is the chance to try to make our voices heard. A chance to attempt change.
Students’ votes are important.
— CW