Vote!

The Muhlenberg community fosters a strong environment of both political activism and involvement on campus. Last spring, with the formation of BergVotes, students took the initiative towards not only increasing participation in the upcoming election, but also encouraging faculty and students alike to engage in important political conversations. Muhlenberg also has clubs for both Democrats and Republicans and a nationally recognized polling center that students are eager and encouraged to participate in. Because this will be the first presidential election in which many students can cast votes, political involvement on campus is more important than ever.

Based on some polling probabilities, Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2016 election. Population densities and voting trends depict a split state. The larger cities, such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, where 15 percent of the entire state lives, are reliably left-leaning. It’s the remaining areas, typically rural, that more often are right-leaning. But just because the Democratic candidate has carried the state in the last six presidential elections, doesn’t necessarily mean that the trend is not subject to change.

The importance to the current election is this: the results in Pennsylvania will likely reflect which candidate ultimately wins the election. Therefore, students attending colleges in Pennsylvania are in a unique position where their vote actually will matter.

Students should recognize the significance of their vote because of the greater impact it will have in Pennsylvania than in their respective home states. Those who attend Muhlenberg from out of state are eligible to change their registration to Pennsylvania and have their vote counted here. Anyone wishing to do this must complete their application by Oct. 11, and can even do so online.

College students have been very vocal about enacting change in this election. We want to be heard and feel like our vote matters. Casting your vote is vital to bringing about this change, but casting your vote in Pennsylvania could make a greater difference. When we so adamantly call for change and reform in our government, we need to be willing to do our part as well. The reality is that if you are unhappy with our current political situation, regardless of which party you identify with, the only way to change it is to vote. Take this November seriously and exercise your right to vote. This election has shaped up to be one of the most influential in American history, and you won’t want to regret your decision.