November 5, 2018

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States and with every election there is an urgency for all of us to vote as one of our most important acts of civic participation. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “Elections belong to the people.” Voting is an opportunity for us to speak up, make a choice, and determine our own government.

It is also very important for students to exercise your right to vote. Young voters account for half of the voting population which makes this group a powerful political force. Voting is still the best way to create change. The cost of college and financing your education are just some of the issues that impact young voters. After college when you are looking for a job, saving to buy a home, or paying for your own health insurance, decisions made by local, state, and federal legislators will have an effect on your lives in the present and for years to come. Many thanks to the University’s American Democracy Project for their voter education campaign this fall, and for sponsoring voter information tables on campus throughout the last few weeks.

Please make a plan to vote tomorrow and then ask three people you know if they have a plan as well. Spread the word and use your voice to make change. After you vote, consider posting a picture of yourself or your ‘I Voted’ sticker on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #WPUNJVOTES. Let’s see if we can get this hashtag trending in New Jersey. If you need help finding your polling place follow this link:

https://voter.njsvrs.com/PublicAccess/jsp/PollPlace/PollPlaceSearch.jsp

Thank you.

Richard J. Helldobler, PhD
President
William Paterson University