Voting is the most essential way to participate in our government. As students at UW-Madison, we hold the unique opportunity to shape this election with our votes. As millennials, we recently matched the baby boomers as the largest age demographic in the U.S. electorate. We have the numbers on our side to make our voices heard in this election, but this can only happen if students show up to the polls Nov. 8.
Even though we are experiencing a generally polarizing election campaign, it has been gratifying to see students who are genuinely excited to cast their ballots. As the student vote coordinator for the Associated Students of Madison, I have seen this excitement firsthand, and that has inspired me to work even harder to make sure that every student has the opportunity to vote.
I really noticed a groundswell of enthusiasm toward voting following the first presidential debate. During the next couple of days, we registered hundreds of eager students at event after event. I loved seeing students seek out our table and hearing them ask questions about what they needed to bring to the polls, something that demonstrated just how much they valued their individual vote.
I remember one student who approached me after registering to vote at an event at Memorial Library. She asked me question after question about what she needed to bring to the polls, what she could do to prepare and how she could vote early. I was initially taken aback by her bevy of questions, but my hesitation quickly turned into excitement. This student was obviously passionate about voting, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to interact with so many like her.
Students know that voting is not a simple thing to do, that there are some hurdles they need to jump through in order to exercise their right. While the lack of clarity and changes in voter ID laws have been frustrating, students have been prepared to make sure their votes will count. You should do the same.
ASM has held consistent voter registration drives throughout campus to make sure as many students as possible are able to avoid potentially long registration lines on Election Day. We also expanded access to early voting on campus.
Now, let me help you make your final preparations to vote. If you want to receive more information regarding what ID is necessary to vote, you should visit vote.wisc.edu. On this website you will also receive information on where your polling location is if you live in a university residence hall.
If you live elsewhere, you can visit myvote.wi.gov and type in your address to find where you should vote on Election Day. If you are not sure if you are registered at your current address, you should type in your name and date of birth to see your registration status before going to the polls. If you are not registered at your current address, you can begin this process on the website while also previewing your ballot.
I would highly encourage checking out both websites before going to the polls to preview pertinent information on voting.
Despite all of the confusion regarding voter ID and negativity toward the presidential election, I cannot overstate the importance of voting. In such a competitive electoral environment, each student’s voice has the power to impact the outcome of the results for each race. Please, exercise your right to vote on Election Day, and make sure that your voice is heard.
Billy is a sophomore majoring in political science and economics. He is the chair of the ASM Student Vote Coalition. Are you planning on voting in the presidential election? Let us know at opinion@dailycardinal.com.
