As a political science girlie, I feel very strongly about being civically involved. I personally believe that the most important time to vote is when you are voting for your local officials. With midterm season slowly approaching, it is important to prepare yourself with who to vote for, why you should vote and where to vote. While I live in NY District 15, I registered to vote in NY District 3. A huge reason as to why many college students do not vote is because they no longer live at home. Yet, there are more ways to vote other than going in person. We as young people just do not discuss these options enough. As a society, we have been cautioned about the horror stories of voter fraud. I am here as a voting regular to say take a deep breath, it’s much easier than you think!
For New York State residents, the Board of Elections website is an amazing resource to use. The information there ranges from registering to voting and all the way to election security. Let’s start at the very beginning with how to prepare to vote. When you pass your permit test at the DMV, you can choose to register to vote! Let’s say you did not think of the importance of registering when you were 16 and now you are deeply regretting your choice. Do not let that discourage you, still register! Across many campuses in America, your college might have a social action office that can help provide you with the correct resources. If your campus does not have a social action office or you can’t find it, many political science professors are willing to help! If these are not accessible options for you, alternatives are always available. If you initially register to vote as a party you no longer identify with, you can always switch your party. Just because you are registered as one or the other does not mean you have to vote with your party. My advice is to research your candidates and vote for who you like the most.
You can register to vote online through your states Board of Elections website. Along with Board of Elections websites, you can find any voter registration center or go to the DMV. Each state has a registration deadline. Some states it’s just days up to election day and other states its months before. Make sure to check with your state laws before you try to register last minute. In New York State, the last day to register to vote is Oct. 24.
To see where you are registered to vote, go to the Board of Elections website. It’s very quick and easy to see where your designated polling site is. You also see which election, county, senate, assembly and congressional districts you’re in. Which makes it easier to do research. When in person voting, make sure you get to the polls early, wear nothing with a political agenda, and most importantly, vote!
This year I am voting by absentee ballot since I am not sure I will be able to make it home to vote. On the NYS Board of Elections website there is a tab to request an absentee ballot, click it and put your information in. When filling out the form make sure you mail it to your current mailing address and not the address you are registered to vote in. Your absentee ballot will include a pre-paid return envelope. This year I plan on bringing it to the post office; you can also bring it to your counties’ Board of Elections Office or even an early polling site.
Election season is right around the corner, and it is extremely important that you get out and vote! As Sheryl Lee Ralph once said, “Just because you have rights today does not mean you will have rights tomorrow.” Fight for what you believe in, no matter what it is.