By: Isabella Labrada
It’s no secret that 2020 has taken Americans by storm. When you mix a worldwide pandemic, killer hornets, and major calls for change of racial injustice; well that’s a formula for chaos. Toss a presidential election into that and basically chaos becomes pandemonium. Despite the turmoil, the importance of the 2020 election has reached astronomical proportions. Many fear that one of the consequences of the Corona virus will mean lower voter turnout.
However, this is not the first time in our history that an election is taking place during health crisis. Ironically, mid-term elections were also being held during the 1918 Spanish influenza. And although voter numbers dipped, the election took place without fail. Thanks to modern day society, voters in this election have a variety of options to cast their vote and remain safe from being exposed to Corona. Good thing too, because academic experts on both sides, including Michael McDonald a political scientist from the University of Florida, agree that diversity of this year’s voters flow from two main sources: 18-year old’s and immigrants who become legalized U.S. citizens.
Both parties have prioritized the safety and health of the voting population and that is why you have been given the privilege of choosing how to vote. Some consider voting by mail to be the safest route to conducting the civic duty with minimum exposure. To do so, you must be registered to vote first then request yourself an absentee ballot. You can fill out this ballot in the comfort of your own home without having any sort of compromises to your health. After you filled out the form, you have the choice of dropping the form off at a local ballot drop-off center or putting it right back in your mailbox. A second alternative is to vote early to avoid the large crowds. Choosing this option requires visiting designated early voting sites during specified hours. A list of sites can be found on Florida Division of Election website (https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/for-voters/voting/early-voting/).
Braddock’s Social Studies department has taken an active role in ensuring first time voters are informed and prepared to cast their ballots. American Government Teacher, JT makes watching presidential and vice-presidential debates part of his course curriculum. Social Studies Department Head, Mary Milan has extensively promoted the Braddock Votes Club. This club focuses on promoting and normalizing voting, they want you to know that voting should be a priority of yours, if you’re a citizen over the age of 18, voting is now a responsibility and a civic duty. Milan says, “Our goal is to encourage everyone to be politically active. We want to encourage different races, economic classes, and age groups to vote and close voter audience gaps.” Due to the pandemic, Braddock Votes has embraced the change to virtual learning and paired up with the program When We All Vote. This program promotes voting among younger adults and minority groups all across the nation. It even promotes training among students to become poll workers, providing information on how to keep a safe and COVID-19 free voting environment area, so that voters will feel safe to go out and participate on their civic duties.
Despite the unprecedented circumstances, there is no excuse not to exercise your 15th Amendment; a right many countries lack. As emerging young adults, JT emphasizes that it is important to “vote and carry the weight of your new responsibility.” With all the precautions and necessary measures taken to vote, it is imperative to cast your voice in such a determining election will impact your next four years and really the course of this nation’s history. Sounds dramatic? Fits right into that 2020 mix. Happy voting!
The Watchdog 