Last Monday, the United States held its first caucus in the 2016 presidential race in Iowa. Though the race was tight in both parties, Ted Cruz led on the Republican side with 27.6 percent of the vote, while Hillary Clinton squeezed past Bernie Sanders with 49.9 percent of the Democratic vote to his 49.6. Clearly, every vote counted. In a race as close as this one, I must stress the importance of the vote. As we head farther into the primary season and the races get closer, your vote matters more than you may think.
Some students have already registered and are prepared to submit their ballots. Alex Klavens ’19 said that, for him, voting is “the least one can do to participate in a democracy.” For others, however, voting may seem even less important. One student even said that she would vote in the Connecticut primary only “if the College brings it here.”
More members of the Connecticut College community may feel similarly, which is why I implore students to really think about the next four to eight years of their lives and how the presidential candidates could affect this country. 18 to 24-year-olds vote less than any other age group according to the United States Census Bureau, yet young people make up more than a quarter of the United States’ population.
Perhaps the lack of voter participation among young people stems from the belief that their votes don’t matter. However, looking at the close results from the Iowa caucuses and the polls for the upcoming New Hampshire primary, it’s easy to see that each vote is critical to the outcome of the race. And that means your vote.
If you think you can’t vote because you will not be home for your state’s primary or caucus, or you are not registered to vote, the fix is generally very easy. Connecticut, for example, holds its primary on April 26, 2016, and the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is April 5. Connecticut’s holds a “closed primary,” which means that only those registered in either the Republican or Democratic party are eligible to vote.
In Massachusetts, the primary is March 1, and the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is February 29, but I recommend requesting sooner rather than later. The Massachusetts primary is semi-closed, meaning that voters may participate even if not registered with a party.
Caucuses are a little bit different from primaries; some caucuses require that voters be physically present in order to vote, while others accept absentee ballots. To vote absentee in the Maine Democratic caucus, for example, a voter must fill out an absentee ballot request on the Maine Democratic Party website. All ballots must be received by March 2, 2016 to be considered eligible. The Maine Republican caucus, however, does not accept absentee ballots. If you plan on attending a caucus, keep in mind that you are generally able to register to vote or switch your party at the caucus site.
Students who are not registered to vote have the option of using their school address to register in Connecticut. Registering to vote is also sometimes possible at the primary sites, although not all states provide that option, and rules vary according to circumstance. Connecticut voters must register before the primary to choose their party’s nominee, but they may register at the polls on Election Day in November. You can register online at Connecticut’s official state website (ct.gov), and the deadline for registering to vote online for the primary is April 21, 2016. The deadline for registering in person at your town hall or registrar is by noon on April 25, 2016.
The stakes are high this election season. The next president will probably appoint three new Supreme Court justices. She or he will also be able to change and enact immigration reforms, as well as reforms that affect college financing. Healthcare, gun control and a woman’s right to choose also hang in the balance. Many of these issues affect college-age students. Taking part is the best way to ensure your voice is heard. •v
