As the midterm elections approach on Nov. 2, political candidates won’t be the only ones vying for support.
Winston-Salem State’s Political Science club has been encouraging students to use their voices and vote.
Their efforts include educating students within the Political Science Department and reaching out to the freshman class.
The club set up a booth in the Thompson Center Oct. 6 to facilitate voter registration.
The club is also planning a march on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Oct. 25 to encourage people to vote.
The march will begin at the Thompson Center, proceed down MLK, and then conclude at the Anderson Center.
An-Que Cunnigan, a senior political science major from Fayetteville, said she hopes that a large number of students will join the march.
“We hope to get as many people involved as possible,” Cunnigan said.
Midterm elections are held two years after the presidential election.
Candidates elected into office via midterm elections would either hinder or help President Obama carry out his agenda.
N.C. candidates Elaine Marshall (Dem), Michael Beitler (Lib), and incumbent Richard Burr (Rep) are all contending for senate seats.
Lonnie Edward Lockhart, a senior political science major from Monroe, N.C., said that midterm elections are important.
“In order to have laws and regulations passed, Congress needs to be behind the president,” Lockhart said.
“It’s important to keep Barack Obama’s hopes and dreams alive by voting in Democratic politicians.”
While Lockhart said he is adamant about the importance of voting, he said that some students may have a nonchalant perspective on the voting process.
Anthony Williams, a junior psychology major from Greensboro, said he is disgusted with the voting system.
“I do not believe in voting because the people at the top will end up deciding ultimately,” Williams said.
Students like Williams make it apparent that the need for education on voting is important.
“You can’t complain about your current situation if you aren’t doing anything to change it,” Lockhart said.
Timothy Richardson, a junior healthcare management major, said he is somewhat educated about the midterm elections, but insists that if he were better informed he would be more than happy to vote.
“It’s our duty as citizens to vote where we reside,” Richardson said.
Early voting began Oct. 14.