As the election approaches this November, now is the time to cast your vote and communicate the issues that matter to you. For students at Lincoln, registering to vote is the first step towards seeing the issues that you care about realized. Registering to vote in this election, or pre-registering to vote in the future, is an important opportunity for students over the age of 16.

Here in Washington state, preparing to vote in the future has never been easier, thanks to the Washington State Future Voters Program. To qualify as a future voter, you need to be:

• 16
• A U.S. Citizen
• A resident of Washington State

Students can register online at VoteWA.Gov, either through the mail using a paper form printed from the website, or in person either at any Washington State elections office, or when you receive your driver’s license, permit, or ID at the Department of Licensing.

Students who will be 18 by the General Election in November can register to vote directly through the same methods online or in person. We reached out to students who have already registered to vote to shed some light on the process:

Peter O’Halloran (12), who was registered to vote after speaking with members of the Seattle Student Union last year, shares his experience: “I gave them my information and they gave me a sticker, I got a ballot to vote in the primaries… I just got lucky, I think I had people do it for me.”

For Tyler Place (12), the process of registering to vote was simple and easy as well. “Registering to vote was super easy, when I got my Driver’s license they asked me, I checked a box, and I was registered.”

When asked if he would also participate in local elections, Place responded in the affirmative: “I would say that local elections make more of a personal change for me than the national election.”  It’s a popular sentiment that residing in a ‘safe’ state like Washington makes your vote less important, but it’s important to give attention to local elections in the city and state, which can make big impacts in the everyday life of voters.

Voting in state or city elections is crucial because these races often have a direct impact on your daily life. While national elections tend to draw the most attention, local decisions make important and direct impacts that shape our lives and the lives of our community members, from policies in housing to funding given to public services and school systems like our own.

Another registered student, Cole Macomber (12), shares his thoughts on the importance of voting: “Voting is a civil duty. It is your duty as a citizen to try to voice your opinions on how our government works, and the primary way for everyone to do that is by voting.”

Once you’ve registered, staying informed about the election process is crucial. Following local news and participating in voter education events can help you learn more about the candidates and issues. Getting involved not only helps you make informed choices but also encourages others to engage in the electoral process.

Participating in the election doesn’t end once you register to vote. By participating in activism like fundraising or organizing campaign events, you can help encourage other voters to turn out and help advocate for issues important to them. Even convincing other people in your life to vote can have a sustained and meaningful impact.

For many of the registered students we spoke with, voting was a crucial part of the civic process to them. When you vote, you’re not just expressing your opinions; you’re also honoring the efforts of those who fought for your right to do so.