Staff Ed: Vote this upcoming election

By THE BLUE AND GRAY EDITORIAL BOARD

The editorial staff of the Blue and Gray encourages you to vote in the November 6 election.

But I’m not registered to vote.

Registering to vote is actually pretty easy! Here’s where you can do it online: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation. The form should take no more than five to ten minutes to complete. There are also several clubs and organizations on campus that can register you in person. The deadline to register is October 15.

I’m not registered to vote in Fredericksburg, and I won’t have time to get home to vote in person.

That’s OK! There are a couple of solutions. First, you can update your voter registration using the information above. If you’ll be living on campus for the next couple of years, it’s one less thing to worry about come election season. If you’re not feeling such a commitment, no worries! You can vote absentee. You can apply to receive your ballot here: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/absentee-voting/index.html. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is October 30 at 5 p.m.. If you mail in your completed ballot, the Voter Registration Office must receive it by 7:00 p.m. on November 6. Otherwise, you can turn it in in person by Saturday, November 3 at the Voter Registrar at 601 Caroline St.

I don’t have a way of getting to the polls.

There are several clubs on campus giving rides to the polls from the bell tower all day Election Day. If an illness or other condition impacts your mobility, you can vote absentee.

I don’t have a government issued photo ID.

You do! You can use your Eagle One as photo ID on Election Day at the polls.

My vote won’t matter.

Voter turnout is so egregiously low in all elections, but especially state and local, that there’s a good chance your vote will matter. Last year’s House of Delegates election was won by less that 100 votes. That said, even though your vote won’t be THE tiebreaker, politicians on both sides know that our generation doesn’t vote. As a result, they have no reason to care about our issues. (Ever wonder why nobody talks about student loans?) Make your voice heard.

This election has the potential to flip both houses Congress. Regardless of whether you want that to happen, voting is key way to have a say in the policymaking process and influence the issues you care about.