Viking Fusion Videographer Ashley Garcia explains the process of voting for college students.
Ashley Garcia, Videographer
As the Presidential Election grows nearer many Berry students may start to wonder if they should vote or even how to register.
Voting is considered an important and critical part of being an American citizen. Government professor Peter Lawler explains “The future of our country depends on people thinking of themselves as citizens, at least some of our time, just as perpetuating the limitations on government depend on the vigilance of citizens.” Lawler also emphasized that when voting students should also be informed of the stances of the different candidates. “It’s your duty to be informed and to participate, that’s your contribution to our form of government. The future of our country depends on people thinking of themselves as citizens, at least some of our time, just as perpetuating the limitations on government depend on the vigilance of citizens.”
Registering to vote as a student does not have to be difficult roadblock for young voters either. Lainey Battles, President of the Young Democrats at Berry says “Many states, like Georgia, allow you to register online.” Though this does not hold true for all 50 states Battles explained that there are many websites to register, one being Rock the Vote. The voting registration closed February 1, but not all state registration closes on the same day. Alabama, for example, has registration until the 15th of February.
Battles also took time to explain what exactly the Southern primaries try to accomplish. “Southern primaries are commonly known as Super Tuesday and are used as an effort to draw attention and commonality to the primaries for the southern region.” Lawler clarified that “Voting in the primary (in Georgia, for example) or the caucus (as in Iowa) is your one chance to be a participating member in a national political party.” Lawler also said, “The platform–or content–of the party is pretty much determined by the candidate who is nominated by the convention, and so you’re participating in shaping the very meaning of one of our two political parties.”
Super Tuesday is March 1st and Battles states why students should partake in the Southern primaries. “The primaries for the most part are when candidates are selected to run for the general elections for each of the parties. So if there’s someone you want to be in the general election (in November) then it is important to vote for them in the primaries so they have a better shot at being on the general election ballot.”