With the November presidential election drawing near, students have plenty of opportunities to make sure their voices will be heard before the Oct. 9 Florida registration closing date.
Students can register to vote or request an absentee ballot through TurboVote, an online voter-registration service.
Christopher Montoya, a 21-year-old biological engineering senior, said he will use TurboVote to register.
“No matter what your opinion is, it’s important to voice that opinion and make something happen,” he said. “If you’re just sitting around and being passive, you have no reason to complain.”
Students can access TurboVote by logging into ISIS or visiting the website at www.ufl.turbovote.org/register.
UF College Republicans and UF College Democrats offer ways to learn more about each candidate.
Katie Shepherd, social director for UF College Republicans, said the club is promoting the campaigns on campus and urging students to register to vote.
“I think more than half of college grads are unemployed right now. So it’s really important to let your voice be heard and get a candidate in there that can improve those statistics,” Shepherd, a 19-year-old biology sophomore, said.
Both organizations frequent the Reitz Union Colonnade and Turlington Plaza to provide information to students.
UF College Democrats runs a joint table with Gators for Obama on Turlington Plaza or at the Reitz Union every weekday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. where students can register to vote, said Rachel McGovern, president of Gators for Obama.
Students fill out the registration application and Gators for Obama mails them to the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, she said.
Students must be registered by Oct. 9 to be eligible to vote Nov. 6, and those opting for an absentee ballot must send it by 7 p.m. Election Day, said Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Pam Carpenter.
“I am a firm believer in the old adage, ‘every vote counts,’” Carpenter said. “Whether you’re a student or the president, each vote counts equally, and the more voters we have the more influence we can have.”
