c2c | teens
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Voting Cheat Sheet: Help Your Teens Navigate Voting Season BY AMANDA ROLAND
Politics are always a hot topic, and during an election year, it seems to be all anyone is talking about. We hear about it on the news, see it on our social media feed and we can even hear random conversations about various politicians in the Starbucks line. Most adults tend to know what is going on during the voting season, but what about our kiddos? They see and hear about it just as much as we do, but they might be a little confused about what will go down on election day in November. All children, no matter how old, should be informed about voting and election season. And, if your child is older and maybe even able to vote in this upcoming election, it is time to start teaching them how to vote! We have a voting cheat sheet for you to share with your kiddos to help them navigate the world of voting. One of the first things that you should teach your young voter is the importance of voting in elections. Voting is a basic right in the democratic process, and it is an effective way to make your voice heard. When you cast your vote for president in November, you are actually voting for state electors who will decide which candidate your state will vote for in the Electoral College Process. Just because your vote does not directly determine the president, it still makes an impact on the state level. As Barack Obama once said, “There is no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter.” A voter must be at least 18 years old to vote, and they can preregister to vote starting as early as 16 years old. A voter also must be a U.S. citizen, and they have to be a Florida resident to vote in the state. Those convicted of a felony may not vote unless their rights have been restored. The last date to register to vote for the 2020 election is October 5, 2020.
How do you register to vote?
Thomas J. Pyche, the Director of Communications and Outreach for Alachua County Supervisor of Elections, said that his biggest piece of advice for young voters is to make sure they are registered! “In Florida, if you are not registered 29 days before an election, you can’t vote in that election,” he said. Also, he notes that you can register to vote as early as the age of 16, and your voter registration will become active the day you turn 18. If someone is eligible to vote, starting the registration process is simple and can be done online! Go to registertovoteflorida.gov or votealachua.com to start the online registering process, or go to the same websites to print out a voter registration application to send in via mail. When registering, voters will need a Florida Driver's License or Florida identification card. They will also need to know the date that their license or ID card was issued and the last four digits of their social security number.
How do you know what party to register with, and can you change your party in the future?
The United States has two major political parties: Democratic and Republican. There are other minor parties that are recognized in some states, such as the Libertarian Party, Green Party and Constitution Party; however in the 2020 Presidential Election, only the Democratic and Republican parties are being represented. The republican party subscribes to the conservatism ideology, GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020
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