Posted at: 10/15/2012 6:37 PM
By: Dan Conradt
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Email to a FriendGetting Out the Student Vote
(ABC 6 NEWS) -- After months of campaign ads, yard signs and debates, we're just a matter of days away from election day.
And Monday, a corner of North Iowa Area Community College was turned into a political hot spot.
“This is your day. this is your time to really express yourself and how you feel about these issues that are affecting your life," said NIACC student Sierra Holstad.
Three weeks before election day, and the process is already well underway.
"We have what's called a satellite absentee voting station at NIACC,” explained Cerro Gordo County Auditor Ken Kline. "The purpose is basically to take the in-person absentee voting on the road."
“I voted to elect a president," said 18 year old NIACC student Sierra Hauert. “It was more a convenience than anything else because I'm here every day and it was just easier to do while I was here."
“Satellite absentee voting is a useful process to encourage participation," said county auditor Ken Kline.
And this year, that participation is starting early.
"This election so far the in-person absentee voting at the auditor's office has been about twice the level we would have expected based on past elections, including presidential elections," auditor Ken Kline told us.
“I think it's important that we vote because if we want the best people in office, we all got to put our vote in," said first-time presidential voter Sierra Hauert.
And there are some issues that directly impact students ... like those attending NIACC.
“Things like funding for education, special scholarships and federal funding," said student Sierra Holstad.
“People have fought and died for the right to vote. I encourage everybody young and old to participate in that process," said Cerro Gordo county auditor Ken Kline.
“You need to register and you need to vote because this is the way your voice is heard in this country," added Sierra Holstad
Satellite registration and absentee voting stations could be requested in Iowa by filing a petition with the county auditor.
The petition must contain signatures of at least 100 eligible voters living in that jurisdiction.
