The Oct. 15 voting registration deadline is rapidly approaching. Paige Vulagmore, Student Governing Association president, said many students may not know if they are registered to vote.
“I think the biggest issue that students face is they don’t maybe know if they can register to vote here in Manhattan and Riley County, especially if they’re from a different state or a different county,” Vulgamore said. “We’re working really hard. SGA is really with voter education [and] helping students understand that you can register to vote … it takes only a couple minutes.”
Kansas State students can register to vote or update their registration at ksvotes.org. Out-of-state students can check their registration status at rockthevote.org.
Vulgamore said there will be tabling at the Student Union next week to help students register to vote.
“Voter Education Week, as far as SGA goes, our Voter Education Week is Sept. 30 through Oct. 4,” Vulgamore said. “So this is basically where we’re going to help students understand how to register, when early voting is, how to vote and why you should vote in elections … we’re going to continue to table for voter registration in the Union until registration is closed.”
Joe Ackerman, senior majoring in finance and accounting, said he believes every person should vote.
“They should be informed on, you know, as much information as they can gather, and basically vote based off of that information, whether that’s Republican, Democrat, I don’t care,” Ackerman said. “… Vote as much as you can, because it’s a duty to your people to put your views out there and to vote for somebody who supports your views and supports what you want in government.”
Jayda Baonga, freshman in music business, said this is the first time she is able to vote.
“Voting this year means a significant amount to me, just because I’m finally able to physically be involved with the election and focusing on who should be our leader for the next four years,” Baonga said. “I definitely do encourage students to go and vote because it gives them, even though it doesn’t give them as much, a voice. They do definitely have a part in finding who will be our next leader.”
Baonga encourages new and old voters alike to do their own research.
“Please do not go on social media and listen to what other people have to say,” Baonga said. “… Let them form [their] own political opinions. You have to do your own research and to understand what the morals and values are of each candidate, please do your research.”
Students interested in more information on preparing to vote can visit K-State’s Voter Registration and Engagement webpage.
