Victoria Gonzalez/Vaquero Radio
UTRGV observed National Voter Registration Day last Tuesday on the Quad Lawn in Edinburg and Main Courtyard in Brownsville by helping students learn about their voter registration status and eligibility requirements.
Vaqueros Vote, a nonpartisan group that aims to bring together political and non-political students, and the Center for Student Involvement provided students with resources about voter registration.
Elizabeth Goldberg, an assistant professor of practice and UTeach science master teacher, explained why it is important to spread awareness about this topic in a college environment.
“Registering college students is one of the most important jobs we can do because, for many college students, this is the first time they’re actually eligible to vote,” Goldberg said. “So, we really want to make sure that they can participate in our democracy and our democratic processes as early as possible, and that their voices can be heard.”
Philosophy junior Cari Hernandez said a lot of Hispanics believe their vote does not matter because they feel like their voices are not heard.
“But they’re making it worse by not going to vote,” Hernandez said. “So, I think being here and encouraging students will maybe help them encourage their parents to go vote and their family members, which is something I think we need to do regardless of what party, regardless of who they vote for.”
The U.S. Census Bureau recorded that Texas voters between the ages 18 and 24 had the lowest registration rate compared to other age groups in the last four election cycles.
Center for Student Involvement employee Eddie Yanez said Generation Z always wants their voices to be heard.
“I believe that voting should be an instrumental part in making out voices being heard,” Yanez said. “So rather than just going online and speaking about, you know, what we should be doing as a nation, maybe we should be channeling that energy to actually voting in person.”
Hernandez said voting is about protecting rights written in the Constitution, and also those that are not.
“The impact that my vote will have, hopefully, is towards a future where we don’t have to be scared about who we are to live here in America because that’s not what it’s about,” she said.
To register to vote or to check registration status, Goldberg suggested students visit vote.gov. Registration can take place online, by mail or in person at a local election office.
Oct. 7 is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 5 presidential election.
This is Victoria Gonzalez for Vaquero Radio.
