Dear NECC Students,
Election season is upon us again! And, it’s time for you to use your voice at the polls.
Northern Essex Community College has a strong history of student voter participation. In the 2018 midterm election, the college was recognized by the All in Democracy Challenge with a Silver Seal for our voting rates. 31.6% of our students voted, an increase of 11% from the previous midterm election. Amazing as this is, I know we can do better in this election!
In 2022, MA residents have the ability to vote in several different ways. In addition to voting in-person on the November 8th Election Day, we can vote early from October 22nd through November 4th. You can also file an application to vote by mail any time before 5PM on November 1st. However, to vote at all in Massachusetts, you must be registered to vote by Saturday, October 29th. For more information on registering to vote, voting my mail, early voting dates and locations, please visit: www.mass.gov/vote.
What’s at stake?
The November 8th MA Election has many statewide offices on the ballot, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Auditor, and Treasurer. Also, State Representatives and State Senators are up for elections. Furthermore, there are national implications to this election. Districts are electing their Congressional Representatives. For the full list of offices on the ballot, please visit: www.mass.gov/vote
In Massachusetts, there are four questions on the ballot, which have important implications for all of us.
Question 1: Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to place an additional tax on income over million dollars.
Question 2: Proposes a law that regulates dental insurance.
Question: 3: Proposes a law to expand the availability of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
Question 4: Proposes approval of a current law to maintain eligibility for driver’s licenses for persons not able to prove lawful presence in the United States.
These are simple descriptions of the ballot initiatives and I encourage all voters to read more about the questions at www.mass.gov/vote.
NH residents, your process and election are a bit different. Please visit https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections for more information.
Why should you vote?
There are many reasons. However, I believe the most important is that your voice needs to be heard. NECC students are a diverse representation of our society. For many of us, this right to vote is still fairly new, give or take only 100 years old. And those that came us before fought long and hard to make it a reality, some even sacrificing their lives for the cause. How better to honor them then to use this right?
Furthermore, as NECC students, you are actively bettering yourself through education. Many of you are working, volunteering, and are engaged members of your community. Lots of you care for children, whether your own or your siblings. Who has better insight into what is working and not working in our state and nation? We need to hear your voices at the polls.
Finally, if you need a bit more inspiration, check out what your fellow students, NECC faculty, and staff have to say. Visit www.necc.mass.edu/neccvotes and watch our video.
The time is now. Get educated on the election and get out and vote! Bring the kids in your life to vote with you – teach them young how important it is!
If you have any questions or need any assistance with this process, please feel free to reach out to me at jdagatalynch@necc.mass.edu.
#NECCVotes
Thank you,
Janel
Janel D’Agata-Lynch, MSW
Civic Engagement, Service-Learning, and Community Resources Coordinator
Northern Essex Community College
