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Easing Your Voting Pains

October 2008  |  Issue #4  |  Kristin Ladd

Voting. The word usually wards off most students for one reason or another. Some say their vote will not count while others feel that they just do not know the issues nor the candidates. Yes, it does take a time out of a busy day of Lost and Gossip Girl to watch the National Convention, but knowing your candidates and voting is easier and more powerful than you might think. Below, we have given you some answers to the common questions students have about voting.

Why should I vote?

  • Because you can. Voting is the simple push of a button. There are even voting booths on the UCI campus. If you are registered in Irvine, then you can vote in between classes.

  • Because you vote on what you want. Although you may read up on issues and candidates, sometimes you may feel that you do not know enough to vote on a certain proposition. No problem. You can skip the issues you do not want to vote on.

  • Because your vote does count despite what you may think. The majority of voters do not come from the nation's youth; they come from citizens ages 55 or over. And by majority I mean 40,700 voters versus the measly 5,500 votes in the 18-24 year old category. Yet who is the one that will be living with this upcoming president and his decisions for longer? The youth! YOU! A vote for your candidate is really a vote for your future lifestyle.


How does voting work?

Your vote contributes toward the total number of votes for your state. For example, let's say you want Obama to win, so you vote for Obama. Your vote is counted as one vote closer to Obama winning the majority. If he gets the majority in your state, then he will get all the electoral votes in from your state which then will help him be one state closer to winning the national election. And, coming from California, we get 55 electoral votes - that is more than any other state. Like McCain? Works the same. With California your vote could count for more than most.

How do I register?

Registering is now easier than ever. You can register online at www.rockthevote.com. During Welcome Week and sometimes thereafter, there are volunteers who can give you Voter Registration Forms on the spot. These forms can be found at your local post office, any Irvine Parks and Recreation location and at City Hall as well. They take about 10 minutes to fill out.

How do I vote if I am far away from home or an out of state student?

Absentee ballots can be sent in the mail to your apartment. This may take a little bit of time the first time, but after the first time it is not difficult. To vote by mail, apply in writing to your county elections official. You can find the telephone number and address of your county elections official by going to the Secretary of State's web site at www.sos.ca.gov. Your family member can even apply for you from home.

Or just register here. You will be a student here for 2-4 years and will be voting in multiple elections. Register with your Irvine address and vote on campus.

Refer to our What He Wants? (Barack Obama/John McCain) and I'll Give You Props pages for more information.
www.rockthevote.com has a wealth of other important information if you want to read further.


Quick Guide:

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VOTE!

Register, Get Information and Find Out Where and When to Vote:
www.rockthevote.com
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Published with support from Campus Progress/Center for American Progress (online at CampusProgress.org)