It’s officially 2020, which means a new decade and a new presidential election. The current presidency has been rocky at best, so it is important for all people, especially younger generations, to enact their desired change through voting.
According to The New York Times, there are currently 12 democratic candidates and three republican candidates running for president, while 17 candidates total have dropped out of the race, including Cory Booker and Julián Castro. Based off past debates, the front runners for the Democratic Party seem to be Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, although other candidates like Pete Buttigieg have gained notable recognition as well. Every candidate has their own issues and projects they plan to focus on if they win the presidency, so it’s important to do research before deciding who to vote for.
Voting can be intimidating at first, but the first step is to register to vote. There are several paths to registration. Online registration, which can be started on www.vote.gov, through the local DMV, or by a paper application that can be found at any county clerk’s office in Tennessee. After registering, each person receives a voter registration card, which will provide the county’s designated voting location. The deadline to register in Tennessee is 30 days prior to the election.
For anyone who goes to school away from home and won’t be able to travel back to vote, an absentee ballot is available. The request form can be found at www.sos.tn.gov. The request can be filed with the county clerk’s office via mail, email or fax. If it is postmarked no sooner than 90 days before the election and no later than seven days prior. Anyone can partake in early voting, which typically begins 20 days before Election Day in Tennessee.
Election Day is on Nov. 3, which seems far off but will be here before anyone knows it. This election has the potential to massively effect the future, so register to vote early and be mindful of deadlines so there are no issues when the time comes.
