With Election Day being a little over a month away, it is important to become a registered voter.
NonprofitVOTE has provided reasons you should register to vote. These reasons include choosing “Elected Representatives that Reflect the Diversity of Your Community” and to “Create Community Advocates.” It is important to keep these topics in mind when you think about how important voting really is.
In New Jersey, to register to vote you must be a U.S. citizen, 17 years of age (although you cannot vote until 18), a resident in your county for at least 30 days and you cannot be serving a sentence of incarceration in New Jersey or any other state. To register to vote you must fill out the form on nj.gov. There is an option to fill it out via the website or on paper. Either way, you need to make sure you have your license or I.D. card and social security number ready.
In order to check if you are already registered to vote, you can use the voter search which is also on New Jersey’s official website.
For Ramapo students living on campus, it might be easier to vote by mail. First, you have to already be registered to vote. To apply for a mail-in ballot, you must print the application online. After printing and filling out the application, you must mail it to your county clerk (provide a stamp). An example of how to fill out the application and mail-in ballot can be found on votebymailnj.com.
In New Jersey, the deadline to register to vote online, by mail and in-person registration is Oct. 15.
jcaramag@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of Edmond-Dantes, Pexels
