Unless you’ve been living under a rock on the moon without a calendar available, you’re probably painfully aware of the upcoming election.
You can’t escape the continued madness surrounding this election either. There’s racial tension, gender tension, political tension and that creepy picture of Bush and McCain hugging.
The attack ads this year spew enough bile to melt a sizeable hole in your TV screen, and this is the only time I’ve ever heard the phrase, “McCain? McSame!”
You have to give those folks points for creativity.
As we get closer and closer to the Nov. 4 election, I’m sure there will be an outpouring of opinion pieces all about how “my candidate can beat up your candidate,” but that’s not what I’m here for today.
If you’ve read the other editorial this week, you’ll know that there’s some discussion about voter suppression on college campuses.
The article details all the ways you could be intimidated into not voting and what to do about it, but it doesn’t mention how to make sure you’re ready for Election Day.
For those who are reading this who aren’t Denver natives, you will have to register to vote absentee.
The website http://govoteabsentee.org/ can help you get registered to vote properly.
For all you Colorado residents, you have a myriad of options available.
The final day to register for the general election in Denver is Monday, Oct. 6 at 5:00 p.m. so you’ll have to get on the ball pretty quickly here.
The good thing about all the voter registration tables around campus is that it’s not hard to get help registering.
If you want to go it alone, you can find most of the information you need online.
The website www.denvergov.org contains information about how to register and vote. According to that Web site, the easiest method is to download and print the voter registration application form. This form will allow you to register and get a mail-in ballot all in one simple step.
You can also go to any of several specified DMV offices, armed forces recruitment offices or any office providing state-funded services to persons with disabilities.
If you elected to receive a mail-in ballot, then simply fill it in and either send it back or drop it off on Election Day at 3888 East Mexico Ave. from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Early voting is available from Monday, Oct. 20B to Saturday, Oct. 25 and Monday, Oct. 27 to Friday, Oct. 31B at locations listed on the denvergov.org site.
Finally, you may decide to go to a polling place on the day of the election. It is important to find your proper polling place.
“EachB polling placeB will serve one to five precincts. Polling places tend to change from year to year, and where you voted historically may not be where you will voteB in 2008,” according to the Web site.
AUSA elections were held this past week and not many students voted. Politicians don’t cater to the needs of young people because they don’t vote, and young people don’t vote because politicians do not cater to them.
Already this election has sparked up a lot of controversy, discussion and excitement. I believe this is the year that young people can help break this cycle.
So get out there and vote. It’s a right, but I wish it were a responsibility. At least now you don’t have the excuse that you don’t know the proper procedure.
