Throughout the centuries, people have died for the right to vote. This is a right people in many nations across the world are denied.
The Lee County Board of Registrars is hosting a voter registration drive at the Auburn University Student Center lobby Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be an additional drive in Southern Union's Student Union Thursday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"It is absolutely free," said Dianne Jay, a Lee County board of registrar. "They can come register and can bring their mother or a friend or anybody with them that has not registered. It's free to the public for students and anybody else alike."
Jay said the registration takes at most three minutes to complete.
"They don't have to have a driver's license or their social security number," Jay said. "We like it if they have a driver's license or the last four digits of their social security number, but it is not required to be able to\ register to vote."
For those who are unable to attend the drive, there are several places throughout the county where citizens can register to vote.
There is a satellite office in the Village Mall where people can obtain voter registration forms to fill out and mail in.
Jay said the preferred registration place is the Lee County Board of Registrars office in the court house in Opelika.
More information on where to obtain voter registration services is on the Alabama Votes website, the state's official election center.
Those who register will receive the 2012 voter guide prepared by the elections division of Alabama.
There are pamphlets and information available for those who register.
"It's important for students to have a voice," Jay said. "Their vote will be a deciding factor, I think, in this election because they are the generation that is going to be most effective."
According to the U.S. census, during the 2008 presidential election, 28,263,000 people ages 18 to 24 voted.
"I get kind of annoyed when people decide to complain about things that are wrong with the government," said Leonard Jordan, junior in microbiology. "Everyone has a choice whether to vote or not to vote."
Jordan is a registered Tennessee voter and has voted in local elections.
"Not voting is in fact a choice," Jordan said. "However, if you choose not to vote, then you essentially chose not to put your voice in--so your argument, or I guess your complaint, holds no weight."
Jordan said his mother was a political science major in college and she encouraged him to register to vote the day he turned 18.
"I know I am going to go back to Tennessee to vote," Jordan said. "I am not sure how many people would actually do something like that, or if they are going to vote here."
According to the Alabama Final Report for the 2008 general election, 336 absentee ballots were transmitted and 240 ballots were cast and returned in Lee County.
"I think it is important to vote because that's how we explain our opinion and how we take an active role in government," said Sarah Ashworth, junior in applied math and biosystems engineering.
"That's how we set ourselves apart from a lot of other countries, and I think it's my duty as a citizen to do so."
Ashworth is a registered Alabama voter and she said she voted in the Republican Primary.
"It is just an opportunity for Auburn University students to get educated and register and to familiarize themselves," Jay said. "It will make the election much more effective if our youth get involved."
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