19-year-old pre-nursing major Taylor Carr visits SGA’s voter registration
table on Monday. The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that only
34 percent of millennials voted in the 2012 election.
September is national voter registration month, and the University of Memphis is offering students the necessary resources in order to be properly prepared for the upcoming election cycle.
The Student Government Association has partnered with numerous registered organizations across campus including the U of M College Democrats, Student Activities Council as well as fraternities and sororities to host debate watch parties and voter registration tables.
“It was an expectation of the Secretary of the State of Tennessee, Tre Hargett, that student governments run a voter registration campaign,†Jared Moses, student government president, said. “We are doing exactly that.â€
Each state sets their own rules for registering and voting. Tennessee voters must be registered at least 30 days before an election to cast a ballot.
However, 15 states and the District of Columbia now allow eligible voters to register and vote through “same-day registration.†The quick voting process is offered both on early-voting days and election day.
Tennesseans can register by downloading the Tennessee registration form online or by calling 1(877) 850-4959 to request one by mail. They can also pick up a form in person at their local county election office, Tuesday, Oct. 11 is the official registration deadline for Tennesseans to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election.
“We sign up for everything else,†Alexandria Martin, a 20-year-old biology major, said. “Why not sign up to register to vote? Invest in your future. Don’t complain if you don’t vote.â€
Students who are Tennessee residents don’t have to travel far to register. Student government and other student organizations have already held four registration tables, and they will have 13 more before the official registration cut-off day.
“Having tables like this gets rid of the excuse,†True Merritt, vice president of the U of M College Democrats, said at a voter registration event on Monday. “There’s enough young people if they decided to vote, it could do something.â€
According to Pew Research Center, millennials are numbered at 75.4 million. This surpasses 74.9 million baby boomers, those between 52 and 70-years-old. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce reported only 34 percent of millennials actually voted in 2012.
Student government is encouraging students to look into their state registration laws and understand the political process.
“This upcoming election is going to truly determine the next four years of our lives,†Moses said. “All students should exercise their right to vote not only just the presidential election but also local elections.â€
