Kiley Wellendorf | News Co-Editor

Election Day is right around the corner on Tuesday, Nov. 4, and Buena Vista University (BVU) is encouraging students to vote whether they are registered or not.

Ashley Farmer-Hanson, Director of Student Life & Director of Civic Engagement, is eager to see get students to the polls and have their voice heard.

“It is an opportunity to be a part of something much larger. Also, at BVU we value service and this is another level of service,” Farmer-Hanson said.

According to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE), 1,608 students at Buena Vista University voted in the 2012 election out of its 2,549 student body population. Of these 2,549 Buena Vista students, 2,139 individuals were registered to vote, which leaves a gap of 531 students who did not participate in voting. In that particular year, 18-21-year-old students held the highest percentage of age-group voters on campus.

Election Day polls are open from 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. and students who live on campus can vote in the Chautauqua Park Shelter House.

“In the past, a few clubs and organizations coordinated satellite voting on campus, transportation to the polls, and voter drives. If a student has an idea or is passionate about coordinating something, I would be happy to work with them,” Farmer-Hanson said.

If a student is not registered to vote, there is an opportunity to register at the poll in order to fill the ballot. Students must be able to provide information about who they are and where they live.

If a student does not have a driver’s license, other forms of acceptable identification include: Iowa non-driver ID card, out-of-state driver’s license or non-driver ID card, U.S. passport, U.S. military ID, ID card issued by employer, or your Buena Vista student ID.

Also, if you are unable to provide proof of your living situation, the following items are acceptable: paycheck, government check or document, a cellphone or utility bill, or even a residential lease.

While it is a student’s choice on whether or not they chose to vote, Farmer-Hanson wishes to see students take advantage of the opportunity to vote.

“It’s important on multiple levels, but it is one of our rights as U.S. citizens. We have the benefit of living in a country where we elect our next leaders. There are still countries today that don’t allow this to happen,” Farmer-Hanson said.

For additional information about registering to vote, please click on the following link: http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html

Graphic by Justice Gage