I had the opportunity to meet state Sen. Mike Rogers. He was a guest speaker in my PLS 324 class and he came in and introduced himself and began speaking to our class on the current state of politics and the direction in which our country is headed. I was astounded that the Senate majority leader would have the time to come visit a class on a college campus when he is a staunch Republican.

He spoke of how it was time to reclaim the greatness that once was America. He included how important it was for every person to feel that they are included in the American dream. My question for him was and still is, “How are you being inclusive of all people when you make it more difficult for college students to vote by sponsoring legislation to require your driver’s license to match to your voter registration?” He met me with the claim that 800,000 more people can vote because of this. He further claimed that it would cause me to be able to vote easier. Well, it was pretty easy to vote when I could go to the cafeteria and do it, but I suppose driving home or going to the secretary of state to fill out all kinds of absentee voter ballot paperwork is easier. I mean, what was I thinking?

As college students, what has happened here is the voting age has effectively been raised to 22. We all know having our permanent address matching our driver’s license is nearly impossible and filling out all the paperwork for an absentee ballot is difficult too. I encourage you to vote the man who did this out of a job on Nov. 7 - that is, if you can vote.

Jim McEvoy
human biology junior