After the countless debates, the neighborly strife over yard signs and both dramatic and harsh TV campaign advertisements, the 2012 election will all come down to a vote.
The youth vote will be of much importance in the coming election. Unfortunately, many young people are not well informed or ready to intelligently cast votes for choices that will affect them nationally and locally.
It is vital for students to know how to vote as well as who and what they are voting for.
According to Associate Professor of Political Science Steven Breezeel, students need to realize voting requires prior planning. In Arkansas, voters have to register at least 30 days before the election date.
“I like to encourage my students to have done some research ahead of time,” Breezeel said.
Breezeel said that for this election, votes will be cast for every member of the House of Representatives, one-third of the Senate, governors and other local elections of various types.
Members of the College Republicans chapter on campus are getting involved during election season by setting up booths in the student center to help students register to vote as well as providing absentee ballot forms. Andrew Rivenbark is the president of College Republicans.
“Searcy wouldn’t be what it is without Harding University,” Rivenbark said. “So it’s very important that the Harding student body shows itself as a political force.”
Absentee ballots can also be found through local county clerk’s offices or state websites. Absentee voting is usually done by mail, so forms should be completed and sent as soon as possible.
Breezeel said that ballots can be confusing, but usually the clerks’ office and local newspaper print a sample ballot to give voters a preview of what they might see on election day.
Some of the issues Breezeel said he believes will be important are the economy and social issues, such as gay marriage, gun control, abortion and health care.
No matter what side of an issue a voter stands on, Rivenbark said there is a need for students to express and stand up for their beliefs. Rivenbark said he encourages students to start other organizations and political groups on campus.
“In the church we have different views of the gray areas and I think it’s very important to not be polarized by certain things,” Rivenbark said. “But we’re human; we’re going to have different opinions about certain things.”
Both Breezeel and Rivenbark encouraged students to get involved in whatever way they can — whether that be with a campus organization or with Searcy politics.
“We want to be active in something that’s so active in our lives,” Rivenbark said.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.
