For the majority of students at Pace, this year’s election will be the first general election they will participate in. While the experience may be exciting for some, others may be confused or nervous for what is to come.

Pace has a variety of students from different states including many from the northeast area. Students from New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and other northeastern states are choosing to drive home for Election Day. The issue many students have is that they would probably need to skip class in order to drive home to vote. For those who ordered their ballots ahead of time, absentee voting was their alternative option to vote and not miss class.

Absentee ballots offer students who are out-of-state to be able to cast their ballots via mail. Though many out-of-state students will drive home on November 8, others don’t have this option if they live too far. Students from California, Colorado, Montana, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana and other farther away states are the primary absentee voters of Pace that will send their ballots through mail.

“I think it’s good that people are able to vote when they are away from home and still have an impact on the decisions that are made in their counties, states, and country,” junior Jakub Lewandowski, from Colorado, said.

Lewandowski mentioned a key factor that many students don’t take into account which is voting for, not only a president, but local officials and Congress, too.

Due to the controversy behind the presidential candidates, some students have claimed they will not vote in the general election. However, candidates for president are not the only people who need to be elected. Students must consider that Congress plays a significant role in the president’s ability to execute plans. For example, Congress passed a bill that allowed family members of 9/11 victims to sue Saudi Arabia for their terror attacks. President Obama tried to veto the bill due to the issues in foreign relations that it may cause, but Congress was able to overturn the veto.

For students who are not aware of who is running for their state’s political positions, they are always able to look up information online to see what candidates support certain issues and back other politicians. It is important to know this information because with America’s political system, either a lot can be done in the government, or little can be done depending who is in control of different offices. If students only vote for the president but not other politicians who will support him or her, there may be conflict between parties and decisions.

With almost a week left until the election, a lot of action will be taken amongst the studenst who are voting. Research will be conducted, ballots will be sent, and eventually political figures will be elected.