Many students who are not able to be in their home state during the midterm elections are able to make their voices heard through absentee ballots. Democrats and Republicans stress the importance of the absentee ballot in order to see both sides properly represented.
Senior Hall Frost, accounting major, said that during his time as an intern with Sen. John Boozman in Washington D.C. this summer, he took calls and heard anyone who wanted to seek clarity on a bill, voice their opinion or hear the senator’s stance on any issue. Frost said this experience not only helped reinforce his political beliefs but displayed just how much one person can be a part of their government.
“You owe it to yourself and for the good of those around you to be educated on current events,” Frost said.
Frost said being in D.C. offered him an example of how things back in Arkansas connect to what is happening in Congress. Frost said in this country citizens have the freedom to decide who the elected officials are and who represents them. Frost said, if a citizen is from Arkansas, he or she can easily learn who’s on the ballot this election. Having even a small idea of what each issue is and then voting for it is a powerful tool.
Senior Nathan Wagner, history major, said his summer internship involved researching how corporate activism plays a role in the American political arena.
“I believe being informed is the most important thing you can do,” Wagner said. “If you are not informed, especially at our age, you have no voice. Every citizen in this country is granted a voice, and being involved is the best way to let it be heard.”
Wagner said the upcoming elections are extremely important, not only for each state, but for the nation. Wagner said listening to candidates and reading about them before voting is important.
Junior Ben Barker, political science major, said he will vote with an absentee ballot this year, and he said a good citizen knows how a candidate’s views align with his or her own in order to make a more educated vote. He added that the best way to do this is to keep up with the news and look at multiple sources.
“I would absolutely encourage everyone to vote with an absentee ballot,” Barker said. “We do not need to take the process for granted. We have so many rights that some people would be willing to fight for, and we need to exercise ours for all of the people who can’t.”
