University Star

Students should take advantage of the four early voting days Hays County is providing on-campus, with a ballot ranging from the city council members to presidential candidates.

Originally, the county slated two early voting days on-campus. During a Sept. 4 meeting, county commissioners approved two additional days to provide maximum voting accessibility for Texas State students.

The county is spending $2,000 to staff the four days of early polling, according to a Sept. 5 University Star article. Especially since funding is being spent to staff the additional days, students should effectively utilize the opportunities given to them and make their votes count.

Early voting will be conducted in the LBJ Student Center Oct. 22 through Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Joyce Cowan, elections administrator for Hays County, said the times were designed around students’ schedules to accommodate the majority of Bobcats, according to the same University Star article.

The planned location and times for early voting on campus are convenient for students. Many students walk past or through the student center on a daily basis. With four days of early voting, Bobcats should have no excuse to avoid the polls.

Two San Marcos City Council seats are open for the November election, along with the mayoral slot and two commissioners’ precincts. Issues discussed on the county and city levels directly affect students who live on or around campus.

Presidential, senatorial and congressional elections are also on the ballot this year. Students should be concerned about state and federal debates surrounding college tuition and higher education, even if they are not passionate about other issues included in the election.

Some students feel their voices are not heard in national elections. According to the United States Census Bureau website, 49 percent of 18 to 25-year-olds voted in the 2008 elections compared to a young voter turnout of 47 percent in the 2004 elections. If the statistics continue to rise, the college age demographic could have a significant impact on election results in the years to come.

The most prevalent excuse for not voting is not being registered to vote. To register to vote in Hays County, students can download the voter registration form on the county’s website.

Hays County has provided students with an opportunity to fulfill their civic duty with ease and convenience. Students should take advantage of the early voting days to cast their vote close to home.