Exercise your right to VOTE! - Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

The Importance of the Midterm ElectionsJamila Iris Edwards, Iota Beta Sigma ChapterContributing EditorThe Presidential Election of 2008 saw one of the highest voter turnouts in history. Around130 million people voted – almost 60 percent of the entire voting population. About fivemillion more Americans voted in the 2008 elections than in 2004, including an additionaltwo million African-Americans, two million Latino and 600,000 Asian-American voters.Experts point to several different reasons why voter turnout was so high in 2008 – rangingfrom the Democratic Party’s first ever African American presidential candidate toaggressive efforts to register new voters.However, while the Presidential Election determines the president it is the MidtermElections that may determine that president’s fate. As we prepare to elect Congressionalmembers, state governors and a variety of local offices, many of the same people andorganizations that fought so hard to get people to vote in 2008 are worried the samepeople – and particularly the new voters and voters of color – may not be as inspired tovote in November of 2010.What’s At Stake?The elections that occur in the middle of a president’s term are called Midterm Elections– even though the elections technically have nothing to do with the president. Congress,which is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, has the most at stakeduring Mid-Term Elections. All 435 members of the House of Representatives face thevoters, as they do every year, as well as 37 Senators this November. There are also 37states set to elect a new governor or re-elect a current one.ConsiderationsThere are many issues to consider when casting your vote. Choose your leaders wisely.Politicians make laws protecting and restricting social freedoms. They determine thelegality of issues like abortion, capital punishment, gay rights, civil rights and religion.Chief executives appoint judges and justices. The right to have an abortion comes downto a very slim majority vote on the U.S. Supreme Court. Supreme Court justices serve forlife. A president you elect today may appoint a justice who decides American social policyfor a generation. Our leaders also decide policy on issues like national security, civilliberties and the environment. If you care about these issues, you must vote.2 | P a g e* I n f o r m a t i o n P r o v i d e d b y T h e L e a g u e o f Y o u n g V o t e r s E d u c a t i o n P r o j e c t

the root of law and regardless of our personal wealth, health, or power, when wecast our ballots we stand equal with the richest man in America – and the leastwealthy.3. So many have given so much for us. The history of voting rights in America is ahistory of liberation, of victory over oppressive individuals and the development ofthe code of equality that defines the American democracy. Thousands uponthousands of our ancestors and compatriots risked life and limb to allow womenand men of all colors and cultures to cross the threshold of the voting booth andraise our individual voices. By voting, by exercising our power, we honor the truesacrifice that has given us the freedom from fear and persecution we enjoy today.4. True societal change happens in the streets, and then in the polls. Voting isnot the end all and be all – it is simply an extension of the beliefs and values of themyriad demographics of America. Movements happen in the streets, as ideaschange and people push against the boundaries of legislation. As movements grow,it becomes necessary to codify their intentions and turn a platform into policy –and then make it stick. Without voting, nothing truly changes.5. It makes you feel good. Compared to Points 1 through 4, this might come off assappy – but it’s true. Anyone who has ever swallowed the nervousness that comesfrom feeling out of place and walked into a voting booth for the first time canrelate to the sense of pride and power that comes when one’s vote is recorded. It iseasy to ignore, to make up a thousand excuses for not registering and notexercising one’s power…but our brains know the truth. When we check our boxes,pull our levers and express our personal opinions about the course of our local,state and federal governments, it simply feels right. It is truly an addictivesensation.The IssuesThere are many different issues that are affected in this Midterm Election. View the linksbelow to find out exactly what you need to know about the issues at hand.Campus ProgressRock the VoteChange.OrgEnergy Action CoalitionHeadCountHip Hop CaucusHuffpost CollegeThe League of Young VotersLeague of Women VotersSAVESierra Student CoalitionStudent PIRGsUSSAVoto LatinoYoung InvinciblesYoung People ForCalling ALL Sorors & Philos to the Polls for the MidtermElections on November 2nd! Regardless of your partyaffiliation or political beliefs, your vote is crucial. Head tothe polls and let your voice be heard! Make A Difference!4 | P a g e* I n f o r m a t i o n P r o v i d e d b y T h e L e a g u e o f Y o u n g V o t e r s E d u c a t i o n P r o j e c t

Voting FAQsHow do I know whether I am registered to vote?You must contact your local county Elections Office or Registrar of Voters by phone oremail or in person.May I wear a button or tee shirt or anything else with the name of a candidate intothe polling place?The details may vary from state to state, but, in general, no one is allowed to campaign fora candidate or ballot measure within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling location. Thismeans you should not wear a tee shirt or a campaign button or carry flyers, for example,about any candidate, political party, or ballot measure. Consult your state's elections lawsfor details.What legislative or other voting districts am I in for this election and who is on myballot?Just key in your address into "Find Your Polling Place" @http://www.lwv.org/Elections/index.html and you will see the current districts which arehaving an election. At the same page key in your state into “On Your Ballot” and find yourstate information from your state page.What if I need help?If you need help because you are disabled or cannot read the ballot, federal law allowsyou to have a friend or relative assist you in the voting booth. Election employees at thepolling place are also ready to help you.I ran into some problems at my polling place. What can I do?You may report these problems to your county's elections office. You may also call a tollfreeNational hotline about voting irregularities: 1-866-OUR-VOTE. This will be answeredby the Election Incident Reporting System.5 | P a g e* I n f o r m a t i o n P r o v i d e d b y T h e L e a g u e o f Y o u n g V o t e r s E d u c a t i o n P r o j e c t

Volunteer on Election DayWhether you have one or two hours to spare on one day, or many hoursspread out over the next week. By investing a little time, we can helpothers in their quest to vote in the midterm elections.Find Local Volunteer OpportunitiesMatch yourself with the perfect Election Dayvolunteer opportunity. As Election Daynears, try http://www.volunteermatch.org.The website lists some election-relatedopportunities in the area you select.Drive Voters to the PollsChallenging weather or lack of transportation can impede voters from exercising theirright to vote. Transportation to the polls has become even more important than before.Dedicate a couple of hours on Election Day; driving voters to the poll is a great way tosupport the election process.Take your own initiative. If no volunteer opportunities are found in your area, create yourown. Go door to door and remind people to vote. Take lemonade and cookies to thosewaiting in line at the polls. The sky's the limit.6 | P a g e* I n f o r m a t i o n P r o v i d e d b y T h e L e a g u e o f Y o u n g V o t e r s E d u c a t i o n P r o j e c t

15THINGS YOU NEED TOKNOW ON ELECTION DAYGo To The Right Place Poll locations can change. Be sureto locate your polling place before you go to vote. Checkwww.VOTE411.org or contact the elections office orboard of elections for your county, city or state.2345Bring I.D. You may need to show I.D. at the polling place.To be safe, bring your driver’s license or another photoI.D. In some places, a current utility bill, paycheck orother document that includes your name and streetaddress may also work.Get a Ballot Don’t panic if you registered to vote butyour name is not on the list. Get help from a poll workerto make sure your vote is counted. You should begiven a provisional ballot or given directions to anotherpolling place.Get Help Poll workers are there to help you. They’ll showyou how to use the voting machine or give you a provisionalballot if you need one. Ask, or read the signs at your pollingplace, which have instructions, list your voting rights andsay how to file a complaint.Stay and Vote You probably won’t have to wait too long.But even if the line is long, don’t leave without voting.The outcome of this election will be important!.ORG

3WAYS TO MAKEVOTING A BREEZE123Check Your Name Before Election Day, check the Website or call the elections office or board of elections foryour county, city or state to be sure you’re on the list ofregistered voters.Avoid the Crowds If you can, go to the polls during offhours: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.That’s when it’s likely to be less crowded.Take a Friend to Vote Why go alone when you can takea friend or loved one to vote?.ORG© 2006Election Day Problems? Call Toll Free:1-866-MYVOTE1•1-866-OUR-VOTE•1-888-VE-Y-VOTAJoin Us in Making Democracy Work at www.lwv.org