Have You Registered to Vote?

Voting is one of the most prominent rights of an American citizen, and registering is the first step to casting your vote come Election Day.

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s Student Government Association has put on various events throughout the campus to get voters registered for the upcoming election on Nov. 8.

The initiative is being led by SGA’s Legislative Affairs Director, Joseph Paoletti II, along with his two interns, Jordan Farrell and Ryan Petro.

When asked about tips for students that have not registered to vote yet, Paoletti said, “I recommend that those people please remove their head from their…phone. The amount of opportunity students had to vote on campus is astounding. If you did not register don’t panic, go to either 933 Michigan or 1515 Strongs ave and the people there will help you register to vote. Check your e-mail and come to the SGA office with any questions.”

Voter registration first began during the Vendor Fair, where approximately 40 students registered.

Beginning Sept. 14, students were able to register to vote in Dreyfus University Center, Upper and Lower Debot and various residential halls. The largest voter registration event on campus took place on Tuesday, Oct. 18 in the sundial, where 400 students came to either learn about voting or to register to vote.

In total, there have been approximately 1,000 UWSP students registered through events put on by SGA. The number of students registered on campus has decreased from previous years, indicating that many students are not exercising their right to vote or have already registered at another location.

Students should be aware that they must register every time they move, due to many students being out of state. For students that are considered in-state, they must have their current Wisconsin ID and proof of residency, which can be printed off of myPoint.

Students that identify as out-of-state must obtain a free of charge voter ID from the Point Card office in DUC 340 and proof of residency from myPoint. Out of state students will be able to obtain voter ID up until the day of voting.

Early voting is a great option for students that do not want to wait in long lines on election day or will not be present in the area they registered to vote on the day of election.

The two locations for early voting are the same as voter registration locations, which are the courthouse and former Mid-State Technical College building. Both locations will be open from Oct. 24^th to Nov. 4^th for early voting. The courthouse will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the former MSTC building will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for individuals that would like to vote early.

Students that identify as in-state must bring their Wisconsin ID to vote. Students that identify as out-of-state must bring their current ID and voter ID to vote.

Voting is the right of  an American citizen to voice their opinion. On Election Day, make sure you take that opportunity.

 

Riddhi Gandhi

Reporter

Rgand912@uwsp.edu