Voter registration available on campus

On November 6, 2012, voters will flood voting booths across the nation to choose the next President of the United States.

The Democratic candidates are President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, are running on the Republican ticket.

In the 2008 election, there was a 5 million voter increase from the 2004 election and it is expected to reach an even higher number this year.   

Many Parkland students will be voting for the first time in their lives. The first step towards choosing the next President is registering to vote.

Anastacio Basilio, Kinesiology major, is voting in his first election.

“Having the right to vote is special and it’s something that people should be a part of when elections come along,” Basilio said. “Even to this day, in different parts of the world, people die to have that precious right.”

“The way I registered was through the Illinois Voter Registration application, which my friend gave to me to fill out,” Basilio remarked. “I was surprised that it only took a few minutes to fill out and that was it. I think most people get the idea that it’s a long process but that’s truly not the case.”

There is a voting station on campus located on campus in the X-Wing. People looking to register may fill out an application online at that station.

The Illinois Voter Registration application registration is also available online. For more information, visit www.elections.il.gov.

There are only a few events left that will be hosting voter registration. A full list of places where you can register is found by visiting www.champaigncountyclerk.com.

Voting closes 27 days prior to the elections on October 9.

Many important factors will affect this election. Both Romney and Obama are neck-in-neck in polls across the country.

The students’ vote is essential to both candidates. They have been touring the country and going to many universities to persuade students.

Alex Mills, Graphic Design major, will also be voting for the first time in his life.

“I hope that whoever wins office can finally get things under control,” Mills said. “One important issue for me is the current situation in Iran, we just got out of one war and I do not want to see another one.”  

“What America needs is a president who can keep his word and one who fights for the citizens,” Mills remarked. “A key role for me will be the current tax situation, many people don’t get paid a lot and they are still forced to pay big taxes.”

The middle class and lower income vote is arguably the most important one. According to the 2010 census, half of the U.S. population are poor or have low income. 

Ann Bates, General Studies student, is one of many lower middle class voters in these upcoming elections.

“I want to know that the economy will be fixed so that when I graduate, I’ll be able to have a good paying career,” Bates said. “My parents have struggled a lot throughout their lives and I don’t want to go through the same thing.”

Another factor will be the Hispanic vote. According to ABC News, 68 percent of Hispanic voters support Barack Obama and only 26 percent support Mitt Romney.

Sandra Herrera, Nursing major, represents the Hispanic vote and will become the first member of her family to cast a vote.

“The elephant in the room is immigration. The immigration system is broken and it needs to be fixed,” Herrera said. “I hope the next president can do something for students who have little income, but can’t receive financial aid because of their status.”

Voting for the next President is essential to student’s futures. It will be the voters who decide who will be the head of this great and powerful country for the next four years.

Now is the perfect time to register. Every single vote counts and yours will make a difference.