The upcoming presidential election will undoubtedly be one for the history books. With the date approaching, it’s essential to be involved whether you’re eligible or not. 

Even if you’re not eligible to vote, there are many ways to get involved and have an impact. Encourage your friends and family members to vote! Not everyone is passionate about politics, but everyone is impacted by it, so their participation is important. There are also many ways to volunteer within our community. People 16+ are eligible to staff polling places on election day, and you can get paid or gain community service hours. You can also go canvassing, phone banking, or write postcards to unregistered voters. There’s even a club at JR you can join, Tigers Vote! 

While this may target a small crowd, those who are 18 as of November 5 are pivotal to this election. Registering and casting your vote is key to protecting our democracy and utilizing our civil duty to vote. Even if you say to yourself, “I live in DC, does it even matter since we always go blue?” The answer is yes, it does matter. Make your voice heard now, and become a lifetime voter. For the next four years, the bulk of 18+ students will live in a new state, where their vote will count even more. Researching the candidates, choosing one that aligns most with your beliefs, and voting for them is a privilege all people eligible should take advantage of. So go vote!

Regardless of your political views, it’s vital to keep yourself informed on everything that’s going down November 5. Follow along with debates, visit candidate’s websites, and make an informed decision on who to support. Make sure your information is coming from a reliable source and not just social media. If you’re conflicted about your vote or need a starting place, you can visit vote.org to learn more.