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Students can vote, too
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Senior Nick Forgac, of Austintown, inquires why individuals have to be 17, closer to 18, in order to vote. Though students can vote at the age of 17, they must turn 18 by Nov. 2 in order to take advantage of the younger voting age.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner addresses the MCCTC audience on why it is important for them to vote. Blaise Karlovic (left), Richard Scarsella, Ronald Carcelli, Dominic Medina, Kathi McNabb-Welsh, Marnie Dockry and Superitendent Roan Craig sit and listen with open ears.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Marie Dockry gives an introduction to Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner at MCCTC's campus-wide assembly on Monday. Brunner addressed students on their right to vote and how to exercise it.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner made a special appearance at the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC) Monday to talk to students about the importance of voting and the early voting process.
Brunner, who is a lifelong resident of Ohio, was elected in 2006 as the first woman to fill the position as Ohio Secretary of State. She has spent majority of her life attempting to improve the livelihood of Ohioans and the state’s election process.
The assembly covered various areas of voting, including why it is important to vote, who can vote, where to vote and how to get registered.
Brunner stressed to students that one vote can make a difference. She enlightened the students on the fact that if votes for a particular issue are tied, that issue automatically fails.
“Voting can change the course of history,” Brunner said.
One of the main focal points discussed was Ohio’s younger voting age. Seventeen-year-olds now have the opportunity to vote in primary elections held in May.
The stipulation is that in order to vote at 17, the young adults must turn 18 by the general election on Nov. 2. For information on the voting age, voting services or ballot issues, visit hwww.sos.state.oh.us.
Students were grateful to be informed of the younger voting age and several, who are not currently registered, say they plan to get registered and start voting.
“This assembly provided a lot of really good information,” said senior Amber Siddens of Berlin Center. “I didn’t know a lot about this stuff. I plan on registering and voting this year.”
With new voters, Brunner understands there will be several questions regarding the issues, candidates and parties. Party affiliation and how the affiliation affects voting on specific candidates were discussed.
As many as six minor political parties will be introduced on the upcoming ballot, according to Brunner, which sparked the interest of several students. There was time allotted during the assembly for a question-and-answer session and students were also able to talk to her personally immediately following the assembly.
Brunner says that if she had it her way, she would want everyone to get registered sooner, rather than later. All Americans, by law, have the right to partake in the nation’s decision-making system, including young adults. Everyone’s voice is heard equal and everyone is encouraged to share it.
“I want them to know that they have a right to be included even sooner than they thought they could and we want them to be involved,” Brunner said.