UCA encouraged students to vote and increase voter registration Sept. 12, National Voter Registration Day.
Registered Student Organizations and volunteers held a voter registration drive to encourage students to vote.
Sophomore Cambreigh Smith and Junior Faith Myers helped run the event, encouraging everyone to “gear up and get involved,” Smith said.
“It’s important for people to have a chance to voice their opinion,” Smith said. “This is our way of being able to be heard through writing. I mean you can’t really say you had a say in it if you don’t actively involve yourself and vote.”
Voter registration in younger age groups tends to be extremely low.
According to the 2023 Arkansas Health Index, Arkansas ranks lowest in voter registration and voter turnout in national elections.
“It’s important for people our age to be educated on how to vote,” Myers said. “Our numbers are low, but now that we are reaching the age where we can vote, It’s important to exercise our civic duties. Us, students, we have to speak out.”
Myers said students must make sure they are registered to vote in Faulkner County or they may run into the issue of not being able to exercise their civic duty.
“As far as students on campus facing challenges, I feel that most students are registered in their hometown. And they come to college that’s hours away and they don’t realize that they can’t necessarily register here,” she said. “It’s a challenge but it’s easy to shift away and overcome these challenges in order to make your vote count.”
Smith said that due to the incoming freshman class, there will be a “huge” increase in voter registration.
“A lot of people like me are participating in their first presidential election,” she said. “I’m excited. I get a say in who is put in power. We are all recently turning 18 and getting the chance to make a difference. So it’s kind of amazing.”
Smith said, ”Even if you don’t think you’re going to vote or you don’t want to, it’s still good to register so you have a backup plan, and you can vote if you become interested or if you have something to say.”
Myers said, “Absolutely, what she said is spot on. You’re scared or unsure, just do your research. Especially about the topics that are meaningful to you. A lot of people think it’s just about the president and vice president, but it has to do with so much more than that.”
Smith said she hopes students will take in what’s happening nationwide and “stay plugged in.”
If students happen to miss the voter registration drive, Smith and Myers encourage students to take a step in the right direction and “visit your local library or your local DMV. They can help you register. It’s simple and helpful. Your voice matters,” Myers said.