MWCC Community Can Look to Brewer Center for Registering Before Deadline
By Jordan Chila | Editor-in-Chief
The 2024 election is fast approaching, and surprisingly, not every state offers same-day voter registration. Massachusetts is one of those states, with a voter registration deadline of October 26, 2024. There are several last-minute ways to register: by mail, in person, or online. Since not everyone in the community is registered, take advantage of the right to vote and register today.
Massachusetts is among the 28 states that don’t offer same-day voter registration, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your vote in before the deadline. MWCC students can register in person at their local election office or by mail. For those who are registering to vote by mail, be sure that the registration form is postmarked by the deadline date of October 26, 2024. For an even simpler option, there is also the option to register or vote online. Where exactly is one able to find the online registration form? Well, the commonwealth of Massachusetts provides the link here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/OVR/. It takes about five minutes, and all that is required is valid identification.
The Mount’s Brewer Center holds a wealth of information on voting. Fagan Forhan, Dean of K-12 Partnerships and Civic Engagement, with assistance from Jason Zelesky, Dean of Student Affairs, shared that “voting registration cards are available all day, every day at the Brewer Center [on the table at the front of the office].” Qualifying Massachusetts residents can mail the registration cards, or the Brewer Center will mail them for you (as long as they are postmarked by October 26, 2024). The Brewer Center has also added clickable banners to the student app and will host a voter registration table on October 23, 2024. Additionally, they will hold a Voting Q&A session on October 30, 2024, for those interested in learning more about the voting process.
Zelesky shed some light on why the same-day voter registration causes debate. “There are arguments on both sides – some say that same-day registration is the most equitable form of democracy while others argue that it overly complicates the process on election day and could lead to people voting more than once and/or other forms of voter fraud.” According to NPR, “almost 6-in-10 Americans express concern” about potential voter fraud in the upcoming election, despite the lack of evidence supporting these claims.
Media arts and technology student and previous Massachusetts voter Gerry Garcia has faith in the process. “I believe that there is a level of awareness throughout Massachusetts and those who choose to follow politics are active and those who don’t could care less,” said Garcia—and he may be right, three students who responded on the iconnect student feed weren’t aware that Massachusetts did not offer same-day voter registration. However, it seems that those who are interested in casting their votes are already registered. Liberal arts major Tabatha Gentry said, “I wasn’t aware of the deadline, but it doesn’t matter to me since I’m already registered.” While human service major Corey Mckethan stated, “I was not aware, but I did receive a voter registration card in the mail.”
The 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments, along with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, protect Americans’ right to vote, ensuring that race, gender, or age cannot be used to deny this fundamental right. When asked if students should vote, Jason Zelesky responded, “It is your constitutional right to vote and participate in the democratic process. Often, elections have both national and local significance. When you vote, you are influencing the direction of your city/town and making your voice heard.”
Zelesky believes students’ votes matter. Whether it is for the future president or smaller statewide ballot questions, students have the constitutional right to vote, and as Garcia says, “Voting is something that we should take pride in.” Register now before the October 26, 2024 deadline.
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