For two-and-a-half weeks, U.S. citizens had the chance to celebrate the accomplishments of numerous American Olympians in the 2012 Olympic Games. Americans were able to feel a sense of patriotism by supporting the U.S. Olympians, but that feeling should be one Americans have all the time.
An easy way for people to show they care for their country is by exercising the right to vote.
Although the 2012 presidential election is still over two months away, time is running out to register to vote. Kansas residents have until Oct. 16 to register to vote, which is just more than seven weeks away.
As students seeking a college education and looking to enter the workforce within the next few years, this generation should have a heightened interest in this election.
According to www.census.gov, the only age group demographic to have a substantial increase in voters from the 2004 election to the 2008 election were 18 to 29-year-olds.
It is encouraging that the age demographic consists of college students or recent graduates, but there were still just roughly half of the 18 to 29-year-olds in the United States who voted in the 2008 election.
It is not too late to register to vote now to help raise the percentage for the 2012 election.
While many people already have their opinions set in stone of what they think of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, it is our moral duty as American citizens to vote. We should do background research on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan. Whether your political views are liberal or conservative, take these next couple of months learn what Obama’s and Romney’s beliefs are on different issues that could have a major impact on the United States.
For those who have not already registered to vote, there is a change in the process to register from past elections. On Jan. 1, the Kansas Secure and Fair Elections Act went into effect, which requires voters to show photo identification prior to registering.
Douglas County is offering 71 voting precincts, and four of them are located in Baldwin City. The four locations include the following: the Baldwin City Fire Station, 610 High St., Baldwin Junior High School, 400 Eisenhower St., Baldwin City American Legion, 807 High St. and Vinland United Methodist Church, 1724 North 692nd Road.
All four of these locations are within a reasonable driving distance from the Baker University College of Arts and Sciences campus.
For two-and-a-half weeks, millions of Americans supported athletes who will likely not have a great impact on their lives. It should not be too much to ask for U.S. citizens to register to vote so they can pick the leader of their country for the next four years.
