The quick guide to the right to vote

The right to vote used to be a popular rite of passage. And there is absolutely no reason why this upcoming election shouldn’t be one for you.

This November the country will witness a historic presidential election between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Whatever your affiliation may be voting this upcoming election is crucial. The demographic of age 18-24 is becoming a huge deciding factor. Make your voice count.

How to Register to Vote in Georgia

There are several ways for students, faculty, and staff to register to vote:

1) Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, online forms are available at http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections. Search “voter guide” for a complete Georgia Voter Information Guide.

2) Baldwin County Board of Registrars, (located at the Courthouse, Suite 102). For questions and voting information, call 478-445-4526 or email lrodgers@baldwincountyga.com. The Registrars can register any and all students and faculty who qualify in Baldwin County; they are available to offer advice and guidance regarding registering to vote in other counties.

3) You may also get Voter Registration Applications, Absentee Ballot Request forms, and Voter Guides from Kathleen Martin (GCSU Deputy Registrar) Contact k.martin@gcsu.edu, 445-0969, A&S 209.

If you want to know (1) if you’re registered to vote, (2) where you vote (polling place) or (3) who your elected officials are, go the Poll Locator at http://www.sos.ga.gov/elections.

WHEN YOU REGISTER TO VOTE: You must provide a residence address as well as a mailing address. A student has the right to register to vote from their home county and place their GC&SU address in the mail block.

Provide a resident (physical) address when registering in Milledgeville or your home county. (for ex, street address). Some students tend to place a dorm name (not address) on the residence line of the application, or have been known to place a CPO box on the residence block [students do not reside inside of CPO Boxes].

Provide a Mailing Address – where your county sends your absentee ballot, for example, upon request. Some students place mailing addresses outside of Baldwin County. Since this is used to determine residency, it may indicate to the Board that the student is not a resident of Baldwin County. Just because a student is enrolled at GC&SU does not mean the student must vote here in Baldwin County. On the other hand, if a student’s intent is to reside here, he/she is welcome to register in Baldwin County.

Note: If you are registering for the first time in Georgia, and you register by mail, you are required to show one of the acceptable types of identification by mailing a copy of the identification with your voter registration application. Every time you move, you must update your voter registration by submitting a new application

Voter registration deadline for Nov. 4 General Election is Oct. 6, 2008.

You can also join politically active groups such as the College Republicans and Young Democrats.

You can also get informed about issues you care about through a series of campus events bringing political speakers, activists and experts hosted this semester by the Coverdell Institute and American Democracy Project.

Or you can participate in our forums and online discussions at www.gcsunade.com.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Aug 8 2008. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry