It's that time of year again. That time that slips right by without many college students even realizing it came and went until it's too late.
No, it's not only midterms (which always does sneak up on us), but it's also time to register to vote in the November elections.
You've heard it all before. Voting is your constitutional right. Voting is your duty as a United States citizen. Voting is your opportunity to have a say in the government.
But on the flip side, you've also heard if you register you'll get pulled in for jury duty, your one vote won't really matter and your time and effort will be wasted.
Quit with the excuses. Because that's what those reasons not to vote are.
Pick up a voter registration form, either for Delaware County or for wherever you are originally from. Get your name on the list of people who plan to actually participate in this system we call democracy where one voice counts no matter how small or alone it is.
Kudos to the students who vote every year in every election. Unfortunately, you are in the minority.
The people in government win their positions one vote at a time. So it's possible, albeit unlikely, for someone to win by only one vote more than an opponent. And each vote supports the views and platform issues a candidate is running on. Politicians decided on property taxes that raise your rent, federal student aid and laws regarding smoking, drinking and noise.
If the positive reasons don't convince you, vote for a slightly more selfish one - so you can complain about the election results and actions of people in government. If you can vote and choose not to, you are giving up your right to complain when things don't turn out the way you prefer. You didn't put in your two cents, so politicians don't know what you want. Complaining about the results of an election you didn't even participate in is deplorable.
Fill out your registration form now and get started in this fall's political process. Students have just as much of a right to vote as other citizens who are 18 or older. It's your own fault if you don't take active steps to register. If you don't, make sure to point the finger of blame at the right person - yourself.
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