Want change? Take charge, register and VOTE!

The Voter Registration Drive at Kean University kicked off on Sept. 14 at the Cougar Walk.

Students who had already gone through the voting process were able to update their information and first-time voters were given the chance to make a difference before Election Day.

While it wasn’t for the Presidential election, New Jersey State legislatures who are still in the upcoming political races gave students the idea to consider who they would want to see in state legislative positions. The races are occurring on federal, state and local levels including the following: the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, one-third of all U.S. Senators, 36 state governors and three U.S. territory governors and mayor positions across all cities, including New Jersey.

Voting for elections is a crucial period for states because we know that it will impact our everyday lives. Kean University set the stage for students to be able to share their opinions among themselves while making the decision to sign up and vote.

Student doing registration. Photo Credit by Wynter Aiken.

“I think it’s going to be a huge turnout, we all know what’s happening in the political world, given the type of president we have and how crucial it is that we vote the right people into office,” said Keisha Norwoods, a freshman at Kean. “I think our voices as students are a powerful force.”

Other students made the point of expressing how not registering could impact an election as a whole especially if one candidate is preferred to win over the other. Student volunteers made up the staff for the voting and registration tables.“

The main goal is to raise awareness for voting registration, especially for upcoming elections,” said Roberto Adams, volunteer and guide at the Voter Registration Drive. “It’s about reaching out, not just today but for the days to come. Besides other bigger universities, Kean University is just as big and impactful. Even with a small percentage of students signing up, it can still make a difference.”

“I don’t push voting on others, everyone has the right to their own opinions, but maybe with the right encouragement, that can change because at the end of the day, voting affects our day to day lives,” Adams continued.

Student registration volunteer. Photo Credit by Wynter Aiken.

Is a student’s opinions or voice really that impactful? Can students really make a difference in upcoming state elections?

“Just by registering to vote is an impactful step in the right direction, we have the right to worry about our state elections and just because we are college students doesn’t mean we don’t care,” said Hannah Abiona, a junior at Kean.

Students took the steps to make their voices heard and make a difference by signing up to register to vote at the Voter Registration Drive.