Local group encourages students to register to vote ahead of October deadline
By Ashley Luthans
The League of Women Voters of Northwest Missouri visited seven secondary and higher educational institutions on Tuesday in recognition of National Voter Registration Day.
The purpose of the LWV-NWMO is to encourage people to register and vote, as well as to advocate for voter literacy. The organization visited Missouri Western State University, Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, North Central Missouri College in Savannah and Hillyard Technical Center, as well as Benton, Central and Lafayette high schools, making contact with approximately 750 students.
Around 60 students that got registered to vote during the event.
Jenna Sanders, the president of LWV-NWMO, explained why she visited Hillyard Technical Center to talk to potential voters on Tuesday.
“To talk to kids that who are going to be of voting age, 18, by Nov. 5 or earlier,” Sanders said. “So you can register when you’re 17 and a half, so we’re in here talking to kids that maybe can’t register to vote yet, but we wanna inform them so when the time comes they are informed when they register and informed voters.”
Sanders hopes to educate young people on politics, although not everyone may be receptive.
“Some kids aren’t going to be interested,” Sanders said. “Maybe they’re not exposed to political matters, but … we want them to be informed when they do go, and so that, that’s the main thing is making sure we get out into the community and talk to people and maybe they weren’t gonna vote before but after we talk to them maybe they’re more inclined to do so.”
Dana Andrews, a volunteer with LWV-NWMO who visited Missouri Western, said voting is the best way of making sure your voice is heard in November.
“This is an important election, extremely important,” Andrews said. “And so the more people that participate in the process gives a better picture of how the, of how the country is in terms of, you know, who they want to lead it.”
Once they are registered, Andrews encourages people to educate themselves on the ballot before they vote.
“Participate in voting,” Andrews said. “Do your research, find out who you want to vote for and vote for that person. I mean that’s just that simple. But do your research. Find out about the candidates, you know.”
The race to presidency between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris is the key focus of the upcoming November election. But, there are many other issues on the ballot for the 2024 general election in the state of Missouri, including abortion rights and licensed sports wagering.
People can register to vote online or at their county clerk’s office by Wednesday, Oct. 9. In Missouri, people can register to vote by visiting the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.
The general election is on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polling locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
