The excitement of voting for the first time is truly unmatched. For students at UT, this marks a significant moment as many experience the voting process for the first time.
Since undergraduates are navigating this new experience, it’s crucial for them to understand how and when to register.
Early voting opened up Oct. 16 and students from Tennessee have the ability to vote in person.
There are several ways to vote for the presidential election on Nov. 9. Students can drive to their local election office depending on how far away the polls are. Students can also participate in mail and absentee ballots.
Alexis Mattocks is a sophomore majoring in psychology. Mattocks is from Tennessee, just 35 miles west of Nashville. She plans to travel back home to vote in person for the upcoming election before the month of November arrives.
“I think I have moderate access to voting since I am from Tennessee, but being in college, it is difficult to travel back to vote,” Mattocks said.
Sarah Beth Engle, studying public health, is also born and raised in Tennessee. Although she feels very neutral about voting, she plans to vote early at one of her local sites before it ends.
“It is important for us to vote because these next four years directly impact our future, our jobs, housing, etc,” Engle said. “I have an easier access to voting because there are many sites and schools that open for voting, making it more accessible.”
Caitlin Ryan is a junior majoring in forensic anthropology. She is another undergraduate excited to participate in the presidential election as she has already cast her vote using a mail-in ballot — marking her first experience with voting.
“I personally didn’t have an issue requesting a mail-in ballot, and the process was relatively simple for North Carolina,” Ryan said.
This is one of the most highly anticipated presidential elections with President Joe Biden departing from the race and many controversial topics at stake between the two candidates.
Given the significance of the 2020 presidential election, the 2024 election has the potential to be equally impactful, if not more so.
For instance, Foreign Policy states, “They are freighted with historic implications that could make this the most consequential election — for both the United States and the world — in U.S. history, historians and political experts say.”
Emily Terry is a sophomore studying journalism and electronic media. She spoke on how monumental the previous presidential election was.
“Voting is important to me because I remember the 2020 election and I really wanted to vote but I couldn’t,” Terry said. “Now, I actually can have my voice heard.”
Some undergraduates are hesitant about voting for various reasons. They may feel their vote won’t make a difference, lack understanding of the voting process or simply feel indifferent.
Terry spoke on how her state of residence impacts her perception on voting.
“I know for me in New York, for the bigger races like presidential, it feels like my vote won’t matter since we already know the outcome of the votes,” Terry said.
Engle spoke on how to encourage students who are undecided about voting.
“My advice to students would be that there is no harm in voting,” Engle said. “No matter who wins, at least you stayed true to your own values.”
Ryan also spoke on how to change students’ perceptions about participating in the election.
“I believe that it is good to tell students that every vote counts because if everyone had the mentality that their vote didn’t count, then no one would vote,” Ryan said.
