What Wake Forest Students Should Know Before Election Day

Midterm elections get much less attention than the presidential race, but they decide a lot. This year, North Carolinians will vote on an open U.S. Senate seat, all 14 U.S. House districts, every seat in the state legislature, and a spot on the state Supreme Court. Early voting is already open, and if you’re not registered, you still have time! 

What this means for you

The state legislature and courts make decisions that affect college students directly affect students tuition, university funding, housing, healthcare access, and how elections are run. The NC General Assembly holds the power to make state laws on everything from voting maps to education investment. Every seat is up this year, so the people making those calls are all asking for your vote at once. Three Court of Appeal seats are on the ballot, and judges often get the least attention of anyone you vote for. 

Your vote counts for more in a smaller race

In a presidential election, one ballot can feel like it’s lost in millions. Down-ballot races are different. Local and state contests can come down to a few thousand votes, and because they get less coverage, each ballot carries more weight. 

Voting tips/Important Info

Early voting is happening right now! It runs October 15 through October 31, and Election Day is November 3. You can vote at any early voting site in your county. 

You can still register! While the mail-in registration deadline has passed, North Carolina offers same-day registration during early voting. You’ll need a photo ID and proof of residency, and you must have lived in your county for more than 30 days. Same-day registration isn’t available on Election Day, so if you haven’t already registered, early voting is your window. 

Registered in another state? You can’t vote in North Carolina unless you register here, so decide where you want your vote to count. 

Free rides! Deacs Decide, a campus club,  has partnered with campus Parking and Transportation services to offer free rides to the polls at these dates + times: 

• Thursday–Friday, Oct. 15–16: 3–7 p.m.
• Monday–Friday, Oct. 19–23: 3–7 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday, Oct. 24–25: 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
• Monday–Friday, Oct. 26–30: 3–7 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31: 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

The bottom line

Midterms can feel small, but in reality, they aren’t. The people you elect this year will decide your university, rent, healthcare, and other important factors, often with only a few thousand votes. You don’t need to know every candidate to take part! Look up issues you care about, decide whose views align most with yours, and go vote before October 31 or on November 3! 

• election
• how-to
• politics
• voting
• Wake Forest