As the November general election draws closer, time is running out for residents - including students - to register to vote.
The registration deadline is Oct. 9.
Voter apathy is one of the biggest problems affecting communities today and is especially prevalent among young people. Many believe the issues on the ballot won’t affect them, or they just don’t know enough about how to vote or they simply don’t have time.
It’s easy to register, either at the city or township clerk’s office or at any secretary of state office. Office hours at the East Lansing city clerk’s office have even been extended for the usual rush before an election.
Because of a change in state law, voters must officially reside in East Lansing to vote here. In other words, the address on a driver’s license must match the one on voter registration cards.
But it’s a very simple matter to make the change, and it only takes a small sticker on your driver’s license to make it official.
And it’s imperative students prepare to vote in the Nov. 6 election.
Students need a voice on the East Lansing City Council. Having influence among those who make the laws in the city is a gift that must not be taken for granted.
Four candidates, including one incumbent, are running for two open seats on the council. Unfortunately, two recent MSU graduates were defeated in the August primary, eliminating powerful voices for student advocacy, largely due to low student turnout at the polls.
Students need to take care that the elected officials take the entire campus community into consideration, and do not work against students’ interests.
There are a lot of changes to East Lansing coming up in the next few years, and as residents of the city, students should do their best to have a say in how those changes will affect the city and themselves.
Voting is a privilege - as the last few weeks have shown us - not available in every nation. Students are lucky to be able to make their opinions heard, even in something as seemingly inconsequential as a city election. It makes more of a difference than you might think.
Considering what it means to be able to vote, putting a sticker on your driver’s license is a very small price to pay to exercise the democratic right.
