By Chantal Barlow, Contributing Writer
We are less than one month away from the United States midterm election. Most college students are old enough to vote, and as a citizen in this country, you have this privilege. Statistically, however, less than one fourth of college students who are registered to vote will do so in this upcoming election.
Voting hasn’t always been a civic right. Let’s start with a quick history lesson. Until 1870, only white men were allowed to vote. Through the 15th amendment, stating that the “right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied…by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude,” men of color were granted the privilege of voting. Twenty years later in 1890, Asbury was established. Skip ahead to 1920 when women were finally allowed to vote through the 19th amendment. Today, around 60 percent of our student population is women; over 1000 Asbury students would be excluded from voting if that amendment had not been ratified. In 1971, only 47 years ago, the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 years of age. The majority of Asbury’s student body is under 21 years old, meaning that less than half of Asbury’s students would have been able to vote 50 years ago. Today, the majority of Asbury students are U.S. citizens over the age of 18, which means most of us can vote. These changes to voting privileges were fought for by the Americans who wanted to make a difference for those who would come after them. We should not take their efforts for granted.
At a campus event on Oct. 4 called “Voting: What You Need to Know,” panelists spoke about reasons why or why not students should vote. “If you’re just taking voting like it’s a multiple-choice test, then maybe you should consider not voting,” said Director of Word Made Flesh Clint Baldwin. “If you are thinking, ‘Do I know enough to vote?’ — vote. You probably know more than you think you do.”
Bradford Queen, director of communications for the office of Kentucky’s Secretary of State, also shared some tips on how to be an informed voter. “Being an informed voter is not only knowing who your candidates are,” said Queen, “[but] keeping up with current events.” One way to be politically informed during your time at Asbury is getting involved with one of the three political clubs on campus: Asbury College Democrats, Young Americans for Freedom or Asbury College Republicans. These groups are in place for like-minded students to get together, have discussions and participate in American politics.
On Nov. 6, Americans across the nation will be voting in the midterm election. Consider taking advantage of your privilege and vote. But if you choose not to do so, at least start informing yourself about the politics of the country where you live so that you can vote in the future.
