The distribution of power for the state and the country hangs in the balance for the elections on Tuesday. In Florida, the positions of Governor and State Senator are up for grabs, as the term limits of incumbents come to an end.
Javon Cummings, 25, a Florida A&M alum from the class of 2009 said the reason it is important for him to vote this election year is to make sure people in position to continue the plans President Obama put into place.
“In order for him to do what he needs to do, we need to make changes on the local level, such as the governor, mayor, senate, state and county,” said Cummings.
“If we don’t gain control of the local government then we don’t gain control of the national. The local government is just as important as the president’s, if not more important.”
The major ballot initiatives affecting students are Amendments five and six, which redraw legislative and congressional district boundaries respectively, as well as Amendment eight, which would relax restrictions on maximum class sizes.
The candidates for Governor are Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott. Senate candidates are Republican Marco Rubio, Democrat Kendrick Meek and Independent Charlie Crist, current governor of Florida.
Ashley Johnson, 23, a graphic design student from Boynton Beach, Fla., said the reason it is so important that she votes is so that she is properly represented.
“It’s always important to vote,” said Johnson. “You just can’t let people run your life. And you can’t really complain about something if you haven’t put your two cents in. The only way you can do that is by voting.”
Faraji Jackson, 27, a graphic design and theatre student from Richmond, Va. said that voting gives you control on who makes decisions on broader categories on the general public.
“If you don’t want people to lead you on a leash, then you got to vote,” said Jackson. “Even if it’s a small election, you got to know who you are voting for. You don’t want nobody foolish in office.”
For absentee ballots, contact your registered voting registrar for mailing. General election day will be tomorrow Nov. 2.