Get Your Voting On!

It’s that time of year where our fellow Falcons have a chance to register to vote for our upcoming elections. Our students have the chance to take this opportunity to have a say in who should be the rightful leaders of our community. As we know, many individuals at a young age don’t register to vote because they either don’t know about their chance, or they don’t try to make this change. That’s why at John A. Ferguson, the Democrat Club and its Sponsor, Mr. Wheeler, come together and make this Voter Registration Drive and opportunity for all the students.

 The Voting Drive occurred on September 13 & 14, 2018 during both lunches. Students could come up to the table and sign up in a matter of minutes. To sign up you need your social security number as well as a valid license. For pre-registering, you can start at the age of 15.

 “We want to do this drive because it’s important for our students to get involved,” said Mr. Wheeler. “We want to do the best we can for our students to register to vote. I want students to feel comfortable in having a say on who should be the leaders and want them to have a voice. This drive’s goal is to get as many students registered, so when the time comes, they are ready.”

“We are trying to get students involved in politics and government as well as registering to vote. We are the ones making the decision in our country, so we have to have a say in what we believe in,” says Vice President of the Democrat Club, 11th grader Daisel Nunez. “I enjoy being part of this drive because I want to see more kids involved and interested in democracy and government. As the youth learns more about this, they see that we do have a voice to be heard and it’s our right as citizens.”

Not only members of the Democrat Club participate in this event, but any student can come as a volunteer and help. “I want to make sure that people have the right to vote and it’s the easiest way to register,” says 12th-grade volunteer, Melanie Reyes. “People have an effect and create change through their vote so that’s why voting is so important. Then, they get mad when the one they wanted to go for didn’t win and they didn’t even vote.”

 “You get to choose representatives and make decisions for your community and your country and act as a nation. Make a change,” says Melanie. “I want to get the satisfaction of registering as many people as we possibly can. They have a voice and it needs to be out.”

 By voting, you’re participating in the society in which you live, and you’re contributing your beliefs and opinions on how you can make a change for the better. In order to get society to be the one we want to live in, we have to put in the effort to elect the officials that can make it better and safer for everyone.

 “I decided to register to vote because there are many things that I don’t agree with, for example, with our current government. It is my hope to be able to be the generation that changes the way we live for the better and make a difference,” says 10th grader, Sofia Pinero.

Another 12th-grade volunteer, Alejandro Barrios, says, “We need to make a change and have an impact on our lives. It’s so important because we are the future and we have to make the right decisions in who we want to lead our community and country as well.”

 As voters, is it our job to strive for greatness and saying our opinion. If we don’t speak up, it can risk our community from being the best it can be, and we must help make the right choices. So, stop what you’re doing and go register because it could change your life for the better. Let your voice be heard!