Cast your ballot

Election Day is here, and we don’t want to hear any excuses – make sure to vote

Excuses, excuses.

Lines to vote this past weekend were reportedly moving at a glacial pace. Complaints from early voters and speculative newscasts have inspired some hesitant students to pass on the “hassle” of voting altogether.

This doesn’t surprise The Red & Black editorial board, as almost any other task can be accomplished quickly with a few clicks online. These days, convenience wins over the long haul in a crunch for more time.

But citing a lack of time as an excuse for not voting is hardly an excuse at all.

The Red & Black did not take an editorial stance on a presidential candidate this election season. Our concern lies more in getting college students to care in the first place.

For many University students, this is the first election they can legally participate in. With a dwindling economy and wars abroad, it’s a crucial time to start becoming informed and involved in the political process.

Voting shouldn’t be quick and easy. If it were a five- or 10-minute process, how could Americans trust its legitimacy? Time is needed to ensure accuracy and fairness.

A few hours waiting in line is indeed irritating. Some of us had to endure a similar experience waiting for season football tickets.

But considering today’s decision ultimately determines this country’s course of action for the next four years, a portion of your day is a small price to pay.

Consider it the time some of us spend procrastinating on Facebook and it won’t sound so detrimental to your schedule.

If students can spend a few hours guaranteeing seats for six (OK, or three) home football games, they can pencil in an appointment to decide on our nation’s future.

Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re working, vote when you’re off. If you’re pulling a double-shift, inform your boss of your right to vote and keep him or her updated on the process as you wait (and for God’s sake, take a nap).

Sure, you won’t get paid for a couple hours, but remember those friendly, ever-increasing tax deductions on your paychecks? Hello, voting incentive.

We urge professors to consider voting an excused absence. We’re still unsure why the administration didn’t take today into account as a holiday, but it shouldn’t deter students from the polling centers.

To shave off some time in the voting process, have your ballot decisions already made prior to arriving to the polling center. State and local politicians are significant too, and control issues that affect University students. Skim their stances online and familiarize yourself with the candidates’ names.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Web site offers a ballot-building application that satisfies the convenience-lover in all of us, allowing voters to print out their choices and bring them to the polling center.

If you’re unsure of where you’re supposed to be voting, go to http://sos.georgia.gov/elections/polllocator/PollLocator.aspx to find out. Don’t wait in line for three hours only to find out you can’t vote.

If you’re a Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, white, black, purple or pissed off – and registered – we urge University students to vote and wear their “Georgia Voter” stickers with pride.

May the best candidate win.

- Jennifer Paxton for the editorial board