Coming off the heels of the first presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump is National Voter Registration Day. The University of Missouri Kansas City used the day to get students interested, engaged and most importantly registered.
"I was 18 at the last election and I was able to vote and I did not feel passionate about it," said UMKC student Antonia Martin, 23. "Now that the state of the election is where it is now, I felt like I was in a position where if I don't vote I would be a part of the problem, especially with two candidates who are so drastically different."
During National Voter Registration Day, organizations from around the country help unregistered voters navigate the application process.
"The election is coming up, and I feel like it's important to get your voice heard and to be a part of the change you want to see," said Emily Barker, 18.
Each voter's registration application asks basic questions such as your first and last name, your address and your date of birth. What it doesn't ask you is how you are politically affiliated or who you will vote for come November 8.
"Sure it's just one vote, but it's your one vote and it's the only vote that will represent your voice," said Mary Allison Joseph, with the UMKC political science department.
We’re registering voters today on the Quad until 2. #ElectFest16 pic.twitter.com/cKoc30atmS
— UMKC (@UMKansasCity) September 27, 2016
The next step after registration, said Joseph, is figuring out your voting plan. Where's your polling place? Can you get there on the day of the election? And if not, how do you request an absentee ballot?
"Getting young people interested in the election can make a huge difference," she said. "Especially working at a university and working with young people. They are smart and they have all these ideas and so these are the people I want engaged in the political process."
The last day to register to vote for the November election in Missouri is October 12; for Kansas it's October 18.
Not registered? You can do it online: CLICK HERE
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Terra Hall can be reached at terra.hall@kshb.com.
