Voting is important, so don’t let being at TCU keep you from voicing your point
Voting can be easy and does make a difference. Out-of-town students can still vote several ways, including absentee and early voting, but the deadlines are coming up soon.
COMMENTARY
David Reese

Listen up!

You waited 18 years to be able to have your say as an adult and now many younger voters are not taking the opportunity to do so.

Sure, most candidates are older than dirt and, truthfully, a lot of the issues do not seem to have any major significance to us, but believe me, it does make a difference.

The ability to vote does not take a lot of effort but voting effectively can be quite difficult. Voters should consider many aspects of a candidate, which each person must decide himself or herself.

Here are some things to think about:
Many might not realize the voters have more strength over the local and state level elections. The most important officials in voters’ lives are those with lower profile candidacies such as the Texas State Senate elections.

After some redistricting from the 2000 Census, the existing TCU area in District 12 represented by State Sen. Mike Moncrief was redrawn and District 10 now represents the university’s area.

There are three candidates for the District 10 senate seat.

Kenneth “Kim” Brimer is a 57-year-old Republican and has served in district 96 of the Texas House of Representatives since 1988. Hal Ray Jr. is a 42-year-old Democrat and is a former assistant attorney general in Texas from 1994-1997. John Paul Robinson is 41-year-old and represents the Libertarian party and works as an aerospace engineer.

I may not be an expert on government or the issues but I definitely know the importance of voting. I am a registered voter in San Diego County in California and since turning 18 about four years ago; I have never missed a primary or general election.

Absentee voting is the easiest and best way to vote because I have been able to vote for the issues that are affecting my home state and city even though I am 1,300 miles away.

Absentee voting also allows voters to take more time to review the ballot whenever it’s most convenient whether it’s in your apartment, residence hall or Intercultural Communication class like me.

If you are in Texas, you can also vote early in person as well as by mail.

It’s too late to register to vote but for those who have registered there are numerous ways to do so.

According to the Texas Secretary of State Web site, voters can request absentee ballots if they are out of the county on election day and during the period for early voting.

Early voting in person is great because you can vote for your precinct’s candidates anywhere within the state during this period of time. Early voting began on Oct. 21 and will end on Nov. 1.

It’s not too late for a registered voter to ask to vote by mail but you have to hurry. The deadline to mail in your vote by mail application is today. Applications are available online at (www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml).

As you can see, Texas gives a lot of ways for its residents to vote.

I encourage you to take the power and let your voice be heard.

Who you vote for is your business, but please do vote.

David Reese is a senior journalism news-editorial and speech communication from Oceanside, Calif.