By Casaan Whitney
The Scene staff
Stacia Thompson will vote for the first time ever in the Nov. 3 general election.
The 19-year-old psychology major plans to cast her ballot for former Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat running against President Donald Trump.
“It’s important to vote,” she said. “It will better help our economy and help build back our country after what President Trump has put it through.”
Many Americans see the upcoming election as one of the most important in history because of the presidential race.
But Ssebunya Kasule, a political science and geography professor at Forest Park, points out that many state and local candidates also are on the ballot.
“The state leaders are the people who directly impact me,” he said.
Kasule often talks to students who are 18 years or older about the importance of voting and how it could affect their lives in the coming years.
The deadline for new voters in Missouri to register is Oct. 7 for the Nov. 3 election. Residents of other states must follow their guidelines.
Missouri residents can register online, in person or by mail. More information is available on the Missouri secretary of state’s website at bit.ly/3cMJrCU.
Steven Peterson, a 28-year old nursing major, is a frequent voter in general elections.
“Voting isn’t an obligation, but it is a right that we Americans have so our voice can be heard,” he said.
“… It works in our favor. We’re voting for a better country.”
Peterson also is a Biden supporter.
Missouri doesn’t allow early voting, so people must determine their polling places and show up with an acceptable form of identification between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day.
“Registered Missourians who expect to be prevented from going to their polling place on Election Day may vote absentee beginning six weeks prior to an election,” the secretary of state’s website states.
Absentee voters must give acceptable reasons. They could include being sick with COVID-19, having health problems that could make contraction of the coronavirus particularly risky or caring for someone with the disease.
Thompson plans to cast her ballot in person.
“The government and the people have the same amount of power, but only if the people use their knowledge and voice,” she said.
St. Louis Community College also is encouraging students to vote. For more information, visit its website at stlcc.edu/go/vote.