Issue 8.2, Vol. CIV

The Student Newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College

Red & Black W a s h i n g t o n , P e nn a .

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS Amendment

26 of the U.S. Constitution states that the right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S or by any state on account of age.

ESTABLISHED 1909 VOL. CIV ... NO. VIII.ii

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Electoral College Map 2012 Election Climate

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

makes it illegal for any state or local government to discriminate against racial, ethnic and language minority groups by denying them the right to vote.

Under

federal and Pa. law, if you cannot enter the voting booth or use the voting system due to a disability, you can select a person to enter the voting booth with you to provide assistance, with certain exceptions.

Numbers based on a weighted average of state polls足. Last updated Nov. 3

Map template courtesy Paul-Henri Gurian, University of Georgia, modified by Abrianne Rhoad/Red&Black

Abrianne Rhoad/Red&Black

06 N ovember 2012

Red & Black

ELECTION DAY 2

Letter to the Editor: Why You Should Vote Heather Painter ‘13 Red&Black Contributor

will best implement the legislation they find most important. While “Presidential Election Soon Approaching” is correct in that voters have no guarantee whether or not candidates will do the things they promise during their campaigns, the notion that voters “lose all control” is false. The I am writing to you regarding the article entitled “Presidential Election Soon Approaching,” control is manifested in the election process itself. Term limits of four years exist for the presiwhich appeared in an earlier edition off the Red&Black, attempting to dissuade potential vot- dency, and if a president has not enacted legislation the way voters wanted, their recourse is to ers from heading to the election booth on Nov. 6. The article attempted to answer the question vote them out of office. With this pressure, candidates must, and they do listen to the electorate. “what’s so good about voting?” I write to you today in hopes that you will publish this letter, The last reason the article offers against voting is that laws make little difference. Have we which sheds light on the faulty anti-voting logic in “Presidential Election Soon Approaching”, forgotten the legislation passed that ended segregation and slavery, allowed women to vote, and and hopefully encourages readers of the Red & Black, students, faculty members, and staff alike established a minimum wage and standards of labor among hundreds of other laws as well? Can to cast their votes this upcoming election day, because there are in one honestly say that these laws, passed by the U.S. government have fact many good things about voting. made “little difference”? To say so is not just demonstrably false and “Regardless of “Presidential Election Soon Approaching” first claims that irresponsible. Though we might take for granted many of the luxuries “you don’t get to choose the candidates, not really.” The supportof being American citizens, we must be reminded of the laws, prodyour political affiliation, ing evidence in favor of this argument is that “no real difference ucts of our government and the electoral process, that exist to protect between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on the issues that our rights and our freedoms. The article also states that, “laws can be I encourage you to should really matter to Americans” exists. While I have my own struck down by the next administration.” While a new administration political opinions, the point of this letter is not to persuade people may wholeheartedly disagree with a federal law, they alone do not have research candidates... to decide to vote in one way or another, but to vote in general. Surely one the power to repeal it without approval from Congress. The separation thing that democrats and republicans can agree on is that there of powers, including the three separate executive, legislative, and judiwhat you believe in, are fundamental differences between the two parties. If the cancial branches outlined in the U.S. Constitution, safeguards against the and to vote accordingly. didates were essentially the same, why do they debate, represent kind of fantastical hegemonic president the article imagines in “Presidifferent ideologies, campaign, and why would we even need an dential Election Soon Approaching.”

Know that just as you election?

If the system was completely broken as the article suggests, how It is inevitable that two politicians will disagree on every topic, would we fix it? The answer is by voting. have a stake in the but Obama and Romney differ on a wide range of social issues, Voting allows us to have a tangible influence in our government including abortion and gay-marriage, which are equally regardand in our own lives. Towards the end of the article you are advised future of your country.” ed, if not even more highly regarded as “issues that really matter that if you “really wanted change, you’d respect the people around you to Americans.” Similarly, both candidates differ on healthcare, enough to do it through purely voluntary means.” I do respect the military spending, taxes, immigration amnesty, gun control legpeople around me, the members of this college community, my felislation, foreign policy in the Middle East especially with Israel and Iran, the federal budget, low citizens, and even cynics of the voting process. This is precisely why I took the time to write education including response to “No Child Left Behind,” domestic oil drilling, social security, this letter encouraging you to take advantage of living in a democracy, where you do have an and this list is by no means complete. As “Presidential Election Soon Approaching” mentions, extremely important role in the political process. You have the right to voluntarily cast your vote. yes there are issues that Romney and Obama agree on, but it is to be expected that both of them Regardless of your political affiliation, I encourage you to research candidates at the local and would support national security measures, regardless of their political affiliation, because these national level, to decide what you believe in, and to vote accordingly. Talk about these important measures are put in place under the Patriot Act and in American airports to ensure the safety of issues with the people you care about, and do not be disheartened by people with different opinAmerican citizens. ions from your own or from cynics. If you have not made arrangements to get home and vote The next argument for the anti-voting attitude the article is that “voting doesn’t allow you on Election Day think about it. Know that just as you have a stake in the future of your country, to affect legislation.” Elections are put in place so that citizens can elect candidates they feel it has a stake in you.

Dear W&J students, faculty, and staff, This is a reminder to vote [today]—no matter what the weather! Polls are open until 8 p.m. As Americans we have a special oppor-

tunity to voice our opinion and elect those who lead us. Please exercise that right.

Your support of a candidate means nothing unless you vote. This election is going to be tight, so your voice is important. Your vote does make a difference. Let’s strive for 100% voter participation at W&J!

Sincerely, Dr. Tori Haring-Smith President