Six things to know about Nov. 6
Are you planning on voting?
I opened up the poll feature on Instagram, typed the simple question into my phone and shared it with my 500 followers, most of whom are in college.
With midterm elections coming up on Nov. 6, I was interested to see what people’s attitudes were towards voicing their opinions through voting, as well as gauge their knowledge of how to vote while away from home.
A few students from nearby universities responded when I asked them to complete the phrase “I’m voting because...”
“Student voices matter in student dominated areas and I deserve a say in issues that will impact me,” said Nora Smith from Appalachian State University.
“I feel like I have little right to political opinion if I don’t do my part in voting in the first place,” said Ally Dye from Southern Adventist University.
“I believe we need a change in this country. Voting is the only way for that change to happen,” said Lizzie Williams from Southern Adventist University.
“I know how important this election is for the state of Georgia,” said Juston Lewis from Valdosta State University.
That being said, here are a few things to know about voting this November:
What are midterm elections?
Midterm elections happen every four years in between presidential elections. On a national level, many seats in Congress are up for grabs. According to usa.gov, all 435 members of the House and 33 senators are put to vote during these elections. In addition, 36 out of the 50 governors will be elected, as well as a slew of local officials.
Why do they matter?
Midterm elections have the power to shift the control of both of the Houses of Congress, changing the landscape of the country’s policy making. Currently, both houses are under Republican majorities, but citizens have the power to either change or maintain that control by voting.
How do I register to vote if I haven’t already?
If you are 18 or older and a U.S. citizen, you are most likely eligible to vote, but prior registration is required. The time frame for registering to vote varies from state to state, with most locations taking registration from anywhere to a month before the election all the way to the actual day of voting in a few rare cases. Many states offer in-person, mailed or online registration. The deadline for most states has unfortunately already passed.
What if I go to school out-of-state?
If you are away at college, chances are you aren’t close enough to home to drive or fly back to vote. This is where absentee voting comes into play. According to vote.org, absentee voting is the process through which those who cannot physically be at their polling locations can mail in a ballot before the actual election. Even if you are out of the country or just a few hours away, you can apply. A few states have additional rules that can be found online.
How does Absentee voting work?
Applying for an absentee ballot may be a bit confusing, but there are tools available to help make the process go smoothly.
First, go to vote.org and fill out their quick absentee ballot request form. They will then email you a form that you can then print and fill out. The website automatically fills the form out for you, you just have to complete it and pop it in the mail. Shipping is easier than you may think. Just head down to the closest post office, purchase a stamp (which costs less than a dollar) and the postal workers can get your form where it needs to go.
After you receive your ballot, fill it out and then repeat the process again, mailing to your local polling center. It is then the task of those working at the polling location to tally up all of the absentee votes and add those to the overall count.
Where can I get more information?
There are so many resources available to help with the process of voting and with learning about the specifics of candidates in your home state and city. Websites like rockthevote.com, vote.org and campusvoteproject.org all have campaigns geared towards college students and provide guidance through the whole process.