UNC students need to vote – here’s how you can

There’s no doubt about it: this election is a crazy one. No matter your party, there is a lot at stake. But in recent elections, young people simply haven’t shown up at the polls.

Millennials are the largest voting-age group in the US at 30% — yet they are one of the lowest in voter turnout. Only 51% of young people voted in 2008. That alone is roughly 15% of the population not voting  — definitely enough people to affect the outcome of an election.

If you don’t vote and make your voice heard, how can you complain about what the government does? How can you take pride in living in “the land of the free” when you aren’t exercising your freedom?

The solution? Vote.

Who?

You. College-aged students should take action now to secure the future they want for themselves.

What?

The 2016 Presidential Primary

When?

The NC primary is March 15 (during UNC spring break, unfortunately).

Early voting is March 3-12.

Where?

If you go on primary day (March 15), then you have to go to your designated precinct between 6.30am and 7.30pm, and you have to ALREADY have been registered in Chapel Hill. You can look up your precinct location here, and check your voter registration status here.

If you early vote in Orange County, you can go to any of several locations listed here, along with their individual polling hours.

Why?

Democracy. Civic duty. The right to guiltlessly complain about our future president.

How?

Like we said above, two options: early voting or regular voting. (Hint: early voting is the better option).

If you live on or near campus, Chapel of the Cross on Franklin Street is probably walkable for early voting.

Thanks to new NC voter ID laws, you must bring a NC driver’s license, permit, state identification card, passport, or military ID to the precinct with you. So, if you’re out-of-state, that usually means passport (unless: you registered in NC for the first time ever within 90 days of March 15, then you can use your out-of-state license just this once).

If you don’t have a passport with you at school and you don’t make the the 90-day cut, you can still vote. Just go to the precinct, sign an affidavit explaining why you do not have a valid identification document and cast your provisional ballot.

Confused? Have other questions? Go here.