10 Reasons College Students Should Vote

By Caroline Ryan

​If voting doesn’t seem important to you, here are 10 reasons why college students should get themselves to the polling booths on November 8th.

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1. The President influences your future.
Our next president will propose policies and laws that will govern the way we live. Students and young people alike need to be the voice of our government. Picking a candidate who strongly matches your views and taking an active role in politics is the best way to ensure your candidate will make it to the White House.

2. You’re an adult now.
It’s time to step up and start “adulting.” Young people are wrapped up in social media, so there is no excuse not to know which candidate best meets your views. And if you still aren’t sure who to vote for... just Google each candidate’s views.

3. America is built on democracy.
Although America may be a representative democracy, the future candidates still need to know what the people think so they can accurately represent them. Voting is key to a successful election.

4. Many people fought for your right to vote.
Our ancestors fought long and hard for our right to vote and gave us the ability to have a say in our government. Men and women of all races have the equal opportunity to vote; it’s a right that each of us should exercise and be proud of.

5. Not registered? No worries.
Luckily, registering to vote is quick and easy! Just create an account with dmv.ny.gov with your New York driver’s license (or whichever state you reside). Click on “register to vote” and your form will be sent to the county board of elections for processing.

The last day to register to vote for this election in New York State, was Oct. 14, but to make sure you don’t miss the next election, register now.

6. You can take time off from work.
If escaping from work for a few hours doesn’t inspire you to vote, then I don’t know what will. According to the Voting Rights Law, “employees who begin their work day less than 3 hours after polls open and finish less than 3
hours before polls close are entitled to 2 hours leave to vote (or more if distance requires).”

7. College voters can make up a huge part of the election.
College students are of eligible voting age. Imagine if your college has 10,000 students. That’s an extra 10,000 votes for the potential POTUS that wouldn’t exist without people ages 18-24.

8. If you don’t vote, you can’t complain.
Don’t even think about complaining about the new POTUS if you didn’t take the time to pick the candidate you feel most deserves to be in office.

9. Every vote counts.
According to Pew Research Center “as of April 2016, an estimated 69.2 million millennials (adults ages 18-35 in 2016) were voting-age U.S. citizens.” It’s important for eligible voters to get out and vote.

10. Voting holds the candidates
accountable.
Voting holds the candidates to their word, what they have spoken about and promised throughout their campaigns. Candidates represent your needs and views. Most import-antly, these issues will affect your life for the next 4-8 years.