Voting is essential for student voice

Understanding issues and participating in the voting process is essential for students who wish to have a voice in what the government does. I hear all the time that students get ignored and aren’t taken seriously. With that said, I’ve been astounded at the number of students I’ve met over the last few weeks who couldn’t care less about voting and who don’t have a clue what’s going on in government. Most go out of their way to avoid the subject.

If any of you who fit that description are reading this column, do you realize the impact your vote can have on your life? Elected officials create policies and laws that have an enormous amount of control over what you do. They control the roads you drive on, the sidewalks you walk on, the quality of the food you eat and even the air you breathe. They’re responsible for the police, the fire department and our national defense.

Additionally, they collect taxes on income, sales and property. They run our healthcare system and education system. They control your student loans and cost of tuition. They insure our banks and control trade with other countries. They control your access in or out of the country. The truth is the government has a hand in almost every aspect of your life, and by not exercising your right to vote, you’re forfeiting your voice for how things should be run.

My question this week is for my peers. Why is voting not more important to you?

I don’t have the answer. I don’t understand. I’m one of the oddballs who follow politics and government closely, but I know most don’t. If you have a good answer, please let me know what it is. I’m not interested in excuses like, “The system is broken,” or, “My vote doesn’t count.” The system will only get better if more people start getting involved, and at the very minimum, vote.

Regardless of your voting experience in the past or your attitude toward the process, get involved this year. That’s my challenge to you. Cache County has adopted a vote-by-mail system, which will allow you easier access to the ballot. You have to be registered to vote to cast a ballot. If you’ve moved since you last registered, you won’t be able to vote unless you update your voter registration with your new address. It’s a pain, but it only takes a few minutes to register or register anew. You can update your registration online at http://vote.utah.gov or by filling out a hard copy voter registration form. If you’re from out of state, you can request an absentee ballot from your county clerk’s office so you can still participate.

If more students start to make voting more important, we will have a much stronger voice.

— Casey Saxton, a senior majoring in business administration and marketing, serves as the student advocate vice president for the USU Student Association. He can be reached in TSC 340, by email at studentadvocate@usu.edu or on Twitter at @AggieAdvocate.