The presidential election is on Nov. 8, and there is much at stake. In a contest that some have described as a make-or-break point in our nation’s history, it is clear now that you must vote.
With the debates now over, students and faculty alike are making predictions about who will win – Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party or Donald Trump of the Republican Party. In a recent ‘Burnian poll, readers voted for their preferred candidate, and it was a tie. It is widely believed that neither Secretary Clinton nor GOP candidate Trump is fit for the job. Many say they are voting for the sole purpose of preventing their least favorite candidate from winning. However, many students forget that there are more than just two options for this high-stakes job. There is also Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party and Jill Stein of the Green Party.
It is imperative that U.S. citizens are knowledgeable about the various positions the four candidates have. One issue that Blackburn students should be concerned about is education. According to the nonpartisan online encyclopedia site Ballotpedia, Clinton calls for student loan reform, believes that teachers should be paid more and maintains that teacher evaluations and pay should not solely be based on student test results. Trump believes that the nation should do away with Common Core Standards altogether. Stein supports a “student bailout” in which student debt is canceled, advocates for free tuition and opposes high-stakes testing as well as the privatization of public schools. Johnson believes in state control of public education and encourages competition among schools to stimulate improvement.
The ‘Burnian encourages the Blackburn community to take part in the mock presidential election hosted by Student Senate on Oct. 25-27. The event will feature five poll booths in which students, faculty and staff can cast their vote for president. The event will take place in the Demuzio Campus Center (DCC) each day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5-6 p.m.
Following the mock election, on Friday, Oct. 28, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in DCC, an event will be held in which students can register to vote and actually vote early. Macoupin County Clerk Pete Duncan will assist students through the official voting process. Students who are registered in Macoupin County will just need one form of ID, while students who are not registered or are registered outside of Macoupin County will need two forms of ID, one of which must display Macoupin County residency. Students who are already registered in Macoupin County can vote that day, and students who register that day will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot.
The presidential election should not be about choosing the lesser of two evils. Our president should demonstrate experience, accountability and leadership. The candidate chosen in the 2016 presidential election will make decisions that will have an impact on your life. Don’t just waste your vote because you are busy or unhappy with the candidates. Choose to do your duty as a citizen. Choose to do your research. Choose to vote on Nov. 8.