With the deadline to register to vote in the November election on Monday, organizers from the American Legion Post 178 were on campus Friday in the cafeteria to help register eligible students. 

Related Stories

Casting ballots: the politics of voting

Unfiltered: the privilege to vote

Voter registration drive prepares students for the primary

“I think that it’s important for all citizens to participate in our democratic process,” social studies department head Jeff Crowe said. “I think that if only a small percentage of people vote, then the people that are not having their voice heard are not gonna be represented as well. It’s the only power that citizens have to control what our elected representatives do.”

Representing the American Legion, volunteer Rick Raden emphasized the importance of civic engagement.

“Every citizen, including the kids, need to realize early on that what they think actually does matter,” Raden said. “It may seem small, but it only takes a few dedicated people to make it really big. So where do you start? You start by voting, start by organizing your friends, find those who agree with you, and turn it into a movement.”

For senior Anika Patel, who recently turned 18, the ability to vote is empowering. 

“I think it’s important to voice your opinion through voting on who you want to be represented by especially with previous elections with not many people voting some of us did not feel represented by who was elected,” Patel said. “Now that I can vote I feel I can have a say in who I want running our state and country.”