Election Day is Coming. Here’s What Students Need to Know, and Why They Should Vote.

The Watauga County Administration Building, one of 20 polling locations in Watauga County. On November 3, and in the weeks leading up to it, voters will gather here to cast their ballots. You could be among them, if eligible. Photo Credits: Watauga County.

Andrew Larsen, Podcasting Desk Lead for The Powderhorn

It’s once again time for the nation to cast its ballot and determine who it will elect to office. Across the nation, our politics are as polarized as ever. That’s not what this article is about, though. Here’s how, where, and why you should vote on or before Tuesday, November 3, and what to do if you cannot. 

Registering to Vote

To vote, you must first be registered to vote within Watauga County. If you live in a different county, you must register and vote within that same county. To register, you must be a U.S. citizen, and be 18 years old by Election Day. If you are 16 or 17, you are eligible to pre-register, which means you will be automatically registered when you turn 18. If you participate in early voting, you are able to register on-site, but not on Election Day. If you do not register in-person, you must have registered longer than 25 days before the election. This window has already passed, but you can register for the next general election in 2028 here, and find out more information about the registration process. If you are unsure if you are registered, enter your information here.

Voting Sites in Watauga County

Each voting site is open on weekdays only. Hours will vary between polling places, but on election day they are all open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. When voting early, you are able to go to any site in the county. However, on election day, you must vote at your assigned location, found here.

Within Boone, there are two main locations to vote: Plemmon’s Student Union in the Blue Ridge Ballroom on Appalachian State’s campus and the Watauga County Administration Building on King Street. In Blowing Rock, there is the American Legion Building. For the more rural parts of the county, the complete list of voting sites can be found here.

Early Voting

Early voting is available at any location in the county, irrespective of district or precinct. It opened October 15, and it will run on weekdays until 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, the last chance to early vote. As previously stated, if you were not registered 25 days prior to Election Day, you are able to register in person if you vote early. At the polling place, you should show a photo ID, such as your driver’s license or learner’s permit, to vote. You can still vote if you do not bring a photo ID, but you will have to fill out an ID exception form, so try to bring one if you can. For more information about early voting, look here.

Election Day Voting

On Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling location between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Around opening and closing are typically the busiest times, so the State Board of Elections recommends that you go some time during the day. Right after school works, as it is in the middle of the day and many older voters are still working around that time. At the polling place, you should show a photo ID, such as your driver’s license or learner’s permit, to vote. You can still vote if you do not bring a photo ID, but you will have to fill out an ID exception form, so try to bring one if you can. For more information about voting on election day, go here.

What To Do If You Can’t Vote

If you are not a U.S. citizen, or are not 18 by election day, or are just looking to get involved, fear not. There are plenty of ways to get your voice heard beyond the ballot, and engage with politics. Samuel Vining, Civic and AP US Government and Politics teacher at Watauga High School, detailed the two best “linkage institutions” for getting civically involved. 

“There are four linkage institutions that connect the people to policymakers,” said Vining, “and two are simple. One of the most basic things you can do is connect yourself to the media. You should have three news sites that you engage with: one that’s in the country, one that’s local, and one that’s foreign. The second thing is to join an interest group. An interest group can be a philanthropic organization, like the Boy Scouts or FCA. It can also be your work. When joining a community, you’re basically joining an interest group. So participate and engage in that community, and see the ways that it can influence policy. Those are two good jumping off points.”

Why You Should Vote

You may wonder, given the amount of effort it takes, if it’s worth the time to vote. Vining explained the importance of voting.

“If you don’t vote,” said Vining, “you’re not participating in an opportunity to have consent over the people who rule over you. The decisions that those people make on a daily basis have a huge impact on your schools, your roads, how much you pay in taxes, healthcare, decisions made in foreign policy…the list goes on and on. So it’s the only way we can have that voice to decide how we want things to be run.” 

Vining highlighted the reasons as to why you should vote. Yet, many people feel disillusioned, as though their voice is not being heard through their vote. Millions of people vote each year, so it is easy to think that your vote has little impact. However, as Vining explains, this is not the case.

“You still have a voice. Even if that voice might be crowded out by redistricting, or by what you might perceive to be the problems of the electoral college, but you still have a voice, so use it,” said Vining. “Even if your district is drawn in such a way that favors one party over another, it’s still important for you to express how you feel. So even if you feel like your vote is just a waste, it’s important that you do that. If you don’t, you can’t hear the voice of the minority. You have no idea how people feel.”

Voting is the only sure way to guarantee your voice is heard. That argument of being one among millions doesn’t hold up when you consider that every person and their vote is one among millions.  If everyone thinks that way, then nobody turns out to vote. Then their votes actually don’t matter. Even if you feel lost in the crowd, turn up to the polls and cast your ballot. Represent yourself.