University of Georgia students cast their votes in the 2018 midterm election on Nov. 6 among posters, signage and the trappings of the midterm races.
On Nov. 6, University of Georgia students made their voices heard in the 2018 midterm election. (Graphic by Rebecca Nauth)
Around campus, students could be seen wearing the “I’m a Georgia Voter” stickers.
Lexi Wright, a 22-year-old fashion merchandising major from Atlanta, Georgia, poses with her Georgia voter sticker in Tate Student Center on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in Athens, Georgia. This isn’t Wright’s first time voting. In this election, women’s reproductive health and rights, were a main focus for her. Wright said she loves everything Stacey Abrams stands for. Even though the race is so close, Wright doesn’t think that’s a bad thing because that means people are getting out to vote. “I think our generation, as millennials, are starting to get more into politics and learn just more about what it’s all about. So I think it’s very important to educate people and get the word out about voting and how important it is,” said Wright. (Photo by Becca Beato)
One student, Lexi Wright, thought the voter turnout from this election was higher than other elections she has seen.
For another, freshman political science major Quinn Shelt, today’s election marked the first time she was able to vote.
Quinn Shelt, freshman political science major from Grovetown, Georgia, poses in the dining area of Tate Student Center on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. As a self-described Libertarian, Shelt said she cares about prison reform and issues on both sides, but identifies more with Republican issues.
Because of her major, Quinn enjoyed researching the election and learning more about each candidate.
Arsh Chopra, a junior finance major, plans to vote later today, and he says that for him, voting means activism within the community.
“A lot of people are interested in voting, and it comes from empowering your party instead of being civically minded,” he said.
He also thinks political ads should ask not for Republicans or Democrats to vote, but they should ask for everyone to vote.
But, not all students were as active in this election, in part because they were away from home.
Andrew Mogan, a junior statistics major in the ROTC program, laughed as Charlie Ferrelle, a Grady capstone journalist, asked how to spell his last name, which was clearly printed on the the pocket of his jacket on November 6, 2018. Mogan could not vote since he didn’t register in Athens, but he wished he had because all of his friends did. (Photo by Trevon Johnson)
Andrew Mogan, a third-year statistics major, did not end up voting in the election.
“I’m not registered in Athens, and my parents live in South Carolina. It’s hard to find time to register with a busy schedule, but I wish I had because my friends all asked me this, too. I really can’t make excuses.”
Voting will continue through the evening on Nov. 6.
Grady Capstone journalists contributed to this reporting.
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Taking the Pulse of Election 2018: UGA Campus Marks Election Day
by Grady Capstone Journalist, Grady Newsource November 6, 2018
