Florida A&M University’s Student Government Association hosted a “Strike the Vote” event Tuesday via Zoom and YouTube, to encourage and ensure that students are registered to vote.
The event included several special guests, such as: East Point, Ga. Mayor, Deana Ingraham, Miami Gardens, Fla. Mayor, Oliver Gilbert, Civil Rights Attorney, Ben Crump, Comedian, Roy Wood Jr. and many more.
With all that has happened in 2020, it is no surprise that this year’s presidential election will be one of the most critical elections thus far. Ingraham encouraged students to spread the word of the importance of voting.
“Vote for people who care about people,” Ingraham said. “It starts first with registering.”
Statistics show that young voters represent more than half of the voting population, but are less likely to vote than older voters.
“We don’t have the space to not make our voices heard,” Anika Noni Rose, FAMU alumna and actress said.
In the meeting, they went on to discuss the right to vote and the importance in exercising this right. Voting is not only a right, but also a way to get people’s voice heard because it impacts their future.
“It’s about the students, FAMU, the rattlers that are going out to exercise their right to vote and making sure we get a good turnout,” SGA President Xavier McClinton said.
Students who are not Florida residents and are registered to vote in their home state, can still vote in Florida by requesting an absentee ballot. Those that are registered to vote in the state of Florida can cast their votes at the polls, or mail in their ballots.
Although Election Day is near, there is still time to register. Florida registration deadline is Oct. 5, 2020. The deadline to request absentee ballots is Oct. 24, 2020. Early voting will begin Oct. 24 through Oct. 31.
For more information on how to register to vote, visit Iwillvote.com.