The Polling Place at the University Center is housed in the Multipurpose room on the 2-nd floor. It is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Saturday, Nov. 3, it opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 1 p.m. If you haven’t voted yet do your civic duty. Photo by Jeremy Giovanni.
Early voting ends on Saturday, Nov. 3 and according to news reports it already passed the turnout from 2014 mid-term elections.
Fiona Buchanan, president of the WCU Student Democracy Coalition said that more than 700 student and faculty voters have shown up for early voting in the UC during the first week of early voting. The Student Democracy Coalition are expecting around 2500 students and faculty to cast their vote in the midterm elections. According to data published in The Sylva Herald 24 percent of the registered voters in Jackson County casted their vote. This figure is from early Wednesday, Oct. 31.
“It’s important for people to get out and vote, because we have a right to vote therefore voting is a right people should take advantage of, it shapes the way our society functions. When you vote for a candidate, you’re not only voting for the candidate. You’re voting for a policy change and so voting is a great way to get people in office that will fight for what you believe in,” said Buchanan.
She followed up with saying that students “don’t always understand the importance of voting,” but this election cycle they are seeing “the highest voter turn outs for a midterm that we have seen in a very long time.”
“I think that could be because of the recent political happening that happened right before voting started. For example the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, I think that really spurred students who didn’t agree with what was happening in the senate and within our government and so they see the purpose of actually getting out and voting,” explained Buchanan.
Political science professor, Dr. Chris Cooper, in an interview for the Blue Ridge Public Radio, explained that the voter turnout in WNC is higher then expected, and especially in the race for U.S. Congress in District 11 between Mark Meadows and his Democratic opponent, Phillip Price. Hear the full interview on what you should know for this midterm elections.
Student’s who are not registered to vote in Jackson county and have not registered yet can do same day registration and vote up to Nov. 3. If they live on campus they need to have their CAT card, if they are off campus they need to have a document or a utility bill with their address. Hear what else you need to know to be able to cast your vote here.
Sign of the Jackson County Democratic Party at the UC Lawn could be seen almost daily during the early voting period. In the University Center is the poling place. Photo by Jeremy Giovanni.
As part of the efforts to increase student participation and voting Student Democracy Coalition on Oct. 30 had a Democracy day where students and community members can meet candidates running for various seats in Jackson County. Representatives of the political parties are regulars in the UC Lawn talking and encouraging students to vote.
“Students and minorities and people who haven’t voted in high levels are the most important people to get out and vote. Students needs and issues may be different then the most reliable voters which are people from ages 55 to 75,” said Eric Myers, the vice chair for the Jackson County Democratic Party, who was spending the day at WCU campus. “If you want your issues to be heard by the politicians and the elected officials the only thing you can do is get out and vote, so I will say this is the single way that your voice can be heard. Whether it’s in Jackson county, Raleigh or Washington D.C. Wherever elected officials are.”
To bring more students into the polls, the Student Democracy Coalition (SDC) currently has a raffle going on for students who sign a card to pledge to vote. The winnings for the raffle is a $50 gift card you can use anywhere.
The election day is Nov. 6 and if you want to see the ballot and other election voting information check out the NC State Board of Elections website and Jackson County Board of Election.
