As election time approaches, voters are getting ready to cast their ballots. Some seniors will be voting in the upcoming General Election.
Some students like senior Emma Gardner are already informing themselves of the candidates.
“To decide on who I’m voting for, I’m actually going to do research. I am also going to talk to adults in my life that have voted in the past,” Gardner said.
Along with figuring out who to vote for, Gardner realizes the importance of her vote for Indiana and for the county.
“No matter what you believe in, every voice counts,” Gardner said. “I am going to vote in the future, even the smaller elections. Those are the elections that affect our community.”
Teachers have a unique insight on students voting in the upcoming election. Mr. Rick Guipe, government teacher, knows how important young voters are to the process.
“Absolutely it’s important for kids to vote. It’s a right given to them when they turn 18 and through the 28th Amendment. Half of my students are going to be able to vote in the upcoming election,” he said.
Mr. Guipe also wants all of his students to be literate when it comes to elections.
“A couple of ways students can get informed is: watching the news, get online and read about the candidates’ different platforms, and read literature sent to their homes,” he said.
Being an informed voter is important, but it is even more important to be eligible to vote. Mr. Diego Morales, Secretary of State, gave the information needed to be a registered voter.
“You first need to be eligible. You have to be 18 and a US citizen. Then, you can go to indianavoters.com, and the online application process takes less than two minutes. Another way you can register is to do it in person and go to your county clerk’s office. They have paper and online applications,” Mr. Morales said.
Students who are not eligible to vote can also be involved in the election process through a new Secretary of State initiative.
“Hoosier Hall Pass is a new initiative. It is for 16 and 17 year olds that cannot vote. It recruits them to be poll workers. They can help people with the voting process. You get paid $100-$115 on election day, and they get an excused day off of school,” Mr. Morales said.
Mr Morales wants students to know the importance of voting and being a part of the election process.
“It is your civic duty to vote, and as a US citizen you are blessed with the opportunity to vote. The one piece of advice I would give to Hoosiers is vote,” Mr. Morales said.
