Polling criteria available for voters
by Melissa Sanchez, reporter

    As Election Day approaches, students may be asking themselves, “How do I vote?”

   Voting can be intimidating and confusing. However, with some detailed information, more students may be at the polls this November.

   To spark an interest in the election, students might try finding information. Research will reveal where candidates stand on certain issues and can influence how individuals vote. Information can be found on candidate’s Web sites or on neutral sites like www.vote-smart.org.

   In order to vote, citizens must first be sure that they are eligible. Voters must be at least 18 years old by the date of the election that they plan to vote in. They also must be a U.S. citizen, resident of the county and not a convicted felon.

   Students who intend to vote in a given election must be registered 30 days before the election takes place. If planning to vote in the Nov. 5 race, voters must be registered by Oct. 6.

   Registration can be done through the mail by completing an application, found at any library or
city hall, and dropping it in the mail. Filling out the information correctly is important because incorrect information will significantly delay registration. Once registered, re-registering is unnecessary provided that all voter information does not change.

  If for any reason a voter cannot vote on Election Day, he or she may vote early at designated polling locations. The ballots, however, are different. Texas now uses E-Slate, which is similar to a Palm Pilot, during early voting periods.

  If voting on Election Day, the prospective voter must find the correct voting location. This information can by located by using the precinct number found on the voter registration card. The county newspaper prints all the polling locations according to precinct number days before the election. The information can also be found on the election’s Web site at www.sos.state.tx.us.

  Before arriving at the polling location, voters must remember to bring a form of government-issued ID. Bringing a voter registration card can speed up the voting process; however, it is not necessary.

  Once inside the voting booth, the voter’s ballot will coincide with a pre-placed list of all the candidates running in the election. The ballot will have an uncompleted arrow pointing to each candidate’s name. To vote for a candidate, the voter must complete the arrow corresponding to his/her chosen candidate’s name. At the top of the ballot, the candidates will be listed from highest to lowest position. Voters may choose to vote for some or all of the positions. Ballots are placed in a locked container until the polls close, and then they are collected and counted.

  Voting is a right for U.S. citizens, but many around the globe cannot vote. Students can exercise their right to vote in any plebiscite from county elections to presidential elections.