Have you applied for your absentee ballot?

Roads are lined with red, white, and blue signs. Social media, television, and radio are full of campaign ads in which people claim that they “approve this message.”

This can only mean one thing: It is an election year. The 2026 midterm primary elections have already passed, and the midterm general election will be held on Nov. 3.

College students have witnessed elections over the years and are just now getting the chance to participate. This election could be the first, or one of the first, times that young adults have voted.

According to CIRCLE, 23% of 18 - 29 year olds voted in the 2022 midterms. This number rose to 49% in the 2024 presidential election. 

Though voter turnout for their age group is consistently low, young adults have the power to change that.

“It's just part of a civic duty that young people should embrace. There's no reason for them to wait when they're older,” said Dr. Mark Scully, a political science professor. “I think young people should vote to get into the habit to develop the virtue of civic participation.”

Whether students have voted before, or are entirely new to the process, it is not too late to cast a ballot. The process may seem confusing or hard to newcomers. Learning about the process can show how easy it is.

For nearly all of America’s 250 years, elections have been held for citizens to decide the leadership in their country.

“It's a right that has been hard fought for for a great span of human history. The right to vote and widespread suffrage is just one of the most coveted human accomplishments of politics, so we shouldn't take for granted something that our forefathers, for a very long time, thought was precious,” Scully said.

The first step in voting is registration. This is a requirement, and it ensures that those who are eligible to vote can do so. Voter registration can be done through vote.gov. Those who have already registered but are unsure of their registration status can check it on the National Association of Secretaries of State website.

Many Lee students live outside of Bradley County and will not be able to make it to early voting periods or elections in their home county. These students can use an absentee ballot to cast their vote in the midterm elections. 
Different states have their own unique rules and requirements for absentee voting. Students who want to apply for an absentee ballot online can visit vote.org to fill out the application and find information based on their state.

Despite knowing about these processes, some students may still be hesitant to vote. 

Still, some think that their vote does not make a difference, but there have been many instances in election history that prove that the opposite is true.

 “The last several election cycles have demonstrated that the American system can tolerate enormous change. People feel like they don't make a difference, but no one anticipated Donald Trump winning [in 2016] … The fact that he won is evidence that voters have a profound impact on our system,” Scully said.

Scully believes that students who are new to voting should enjoy the experience, as it is an important part of American democracy.

“Take gratification in having performed a civic duty that humanity for centuries has fought for, and don't worry about making the right choice or the wrong choice,” Scully said.

As Nov. 3 approaches, political tensions may rise and media circuses may carry on. The important thing is to remember that voting is a fundamental part of American democracy. Everyone has their own unique backgrounds, needs, and beliefs. Casting a ballot allows everyone to make their unique voice heard.

Photo by Lesley Bryant.