If you want to register to vote in the Nov. 6 election but you’re not registered, time is running out. Citizens only have until Oct. 9 to register to vote, those that don’t register before the deadline will be turned away at the polls.
“It seems now where there are races where people have won by a few votes, it appears as if where just your one vote can turn an election one way.
So, if you don’t vote it could have a substantial impact especially with everything that’s going on with Trump right now.
So if you’re feeling like you want that to change then you need to get out there and vote,” says Karen Walker, a psychology professor at Grambling State University.
While 2018 isn’t the year for presidential elections, it’s time for midterm Congressional, state, and local positions.
This year Congressional midterm elections are taking place in addition to local races. On the statewide level the secretary of state will be decided in a special election.
It’s important to know the dates of the elections, the voting facilities and what the election is for and how it will affect you.
Primary elections in Louisiana are: general elections Nov. 6, early voting Oct. 23- Oct. 30 and absentee voting deadline Nov. 5.
“Young people we need to vote because several of our ancestors died so we can have a right to vote and when we don’t vote we sacrifice that right. We have to vote. We must vote,” stated Dr. Olatunde Ogunyemi the Head of Digital Media at Grambling State University.
Voting while being a college student can be a bit stressful especially if it’s your first time. For students who claim Grambling as their home, they are allowed to vote in local elections. For those whose permanent address are elsewhere, the best option is to vote absentee.
Absentee voting pertains to students, instructors, and professors who are residing outside of their counties/parishes.
Absentee voting aren’t cast in person but by another form, such as, mail, fax or online. Check your local regulations by calling the Clerk of Court or Secretary of State.
In Louisiana, to vote absentee by mail you must be registered and have voted at least once in person. Absentee voting restrictions vary state by state.
However, to submit an absentee vote the application must be received at least 60 days prior to the election and no later than four days prior.
In order to vote, one must be at least 18 years of age by election day, one must be a legal citizen of United States of America who resides in that parish or county in which they are registered, and have a valid ID.
With how advanced society is today, voting has become easier than ever. You can registrar to vote locally at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, Louisiana Department of Social Services, WIC offices, Medicaid offices, Offices and agencies serving individuals with disabilities, military recruitment offices.
Visit voterportal.com or ballotpedia.com to find out where the voting polls in your parish will be.
It’s gotten even more convenient because you can now register to vote on certain social media sites. Snapchat recently teamed up and TurboVote where all you have to do is be 18 years old and reside in the United States.
If you go to your user profile you will find a tab that says “register to vote” on it. Upon clicking the link, you’ll be redirected to a video from the Snapchat team on how to encourage your friends and Snapchat friends on how to register as well. There’s also access to keep up with the midterm elections.
“When you look at the prevalience of what’s going on in the country right now when young people don’t vote you see what can vote. So young people must vote,” says Dr. Ogunyemi.