OK, I’ll admit, until recently I didn’t know whether Newt Gingrich was a candidate for president, or a rare new species of amphibian.
But 2012 is in full swing and by the end of the year one of two things will happen: the world will end, or we will have newly elected, or re-elected, the president of the United States. For most of us this is the first time we get a voice in who will be our next president. Many of us have brushed off this privilege with the excuse, “My one vote won’t make a difference,” but it does. And one vote turns into thousands.
So before you take the next hour to unsuccessfully try and figure out who A is on “Pretty Little Liars,” take the time to figure out who you want to see running our country for the next four or eight years. This guide is your answer to all things politics and step one to becoming politically informed.
Which party to choose/where to get informed
The wonderful thing about a democracy is that nobody can make you vote or think a certain way. However, political extremists who think they know the answer to the debt crisis will do their best to sway you in one direction or another. Want to know the best way to arm yourself from these attacks? Get informed!
Start reading about current political issues and figure out your stance on them. It may be hard to find completely unbiased information, but do your best to sort it out and weigh all your options. Some great sources of information:
The Wall Street Journal– you can find articles online at http://online.wsj.com/home-pageor read the paper. Library West provides copies of the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times on reserve.
RealClearPolitics.com has links to hundreds of articles and websites to keep you in the know.
Watch the news and go online- This can be tricky since some networks tend to lean one way or another, but as you become more informed you will figure out who you agree with and who you don’t. Try ABC News, CNN, CBS, Fox News, MSNBC, and NBC for starters.
Also try: Google news, The Christian Science Monitor, DrudgeReport.com, The Huffington Post, DailyBeast.com, DailyCaller.com, BigGovernment.com, Reason.com, and any reliable magazines and newspapers you can find. Even BBC News, a British source, can give you a fresh outlook on political issues.
Research and choose the political party you agree with the most. After you are informed about the presidential candidates (and what the heck health care reform is), you need to choose which political party you agree with the most. Note: Florida is a closed primary state, which means you must be registered as either a Republican or a Democrat in order to vote in that primary election. Since there are no candidates opposing President Obama in this election, there are no primary elections for the Democratic Party.
Take the Political Compass quiz if you are still having trouble. This quiz asks you a series of questions to help you figure out exactly where you fit.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/test
Watch political debates on TV. Regardless of your party affiliation, watching the ongoing political debates is a great source of information.
Register to Vote!
How to Register to vote
- Now is as good a time as ever to register and stay up-to-date on current issues. It’s easy, too!
- In order to vote in an election you must be a registered voter 29 days prior to that election.
- Fill out and print the Voter Registration application online, or pick up an application at one of many locations:
- Alachua county application form pick-up locations
- Mail your application to the Supervisor of Elections in your county. Here is the address to Alachua county’s Supervisor of Elections:
- Star Garage, 111 S.E. 1st Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601-6819
- After about two weeks the Supervisor of Elections will mail you a voter information card. Congratulations, this signifies that you are now a registered voter!
Here is a link from the Florida Division of Elections on the exact rules to becoming a registered voter: Voter Registration.
Important upcoming dates– mark your calendar!
January 19- Republican debate in Charleston, South Carolina
January 23- Republican debate in Tampa, Florida
January 26- Republican debate in Jacksonville, Florida
January 31- Florida primary elections
March 6- “Super Tuesday”, primaries and caucuses in numerous states
August 27-30 Republican convention in Tampa, Florida
September 3-6- Democratic convention in Charlotte, North Carolina
November 6- Election Day!
Voting is a privilege that allows us to have a say in what goes on in the United States. We should use this privilege to our advantage and let the world know what we think! Organizations such as Rock the Vote and University of Florida’s very own Chomp the Vote help inform and encourage our generation to get out and vote! So get the facts, take a stance, and happy voting!