NIC and a non-partisan political organization held a public forum discussing the importance of educated voting.
The League of Women Voters of Kootenai County hosted the forum, called Voter 101, with NIC, and discussed the historical events that prompted the 26th Amendment of the Constitution, how to make sense of political ads, why voting is important, and Idaho’s voter registration and voting process.
The four speakers that made presentations at the event were former Idaho State Representative George Sayler, Kootenai Elections Manager Carrie Phillips, ASNIC President Julie Salinas, and Coeur d’Alene Press Reporter Maureen Dolan.
Each talked about the importance of voting and being and informed voter.
“I was interviewing an 18-year old student and asked him if he was going to vote this year,” Dolan said, “and he said ‘no.’ I believe the reason for this is sheer information overload.”
Dolan said that $2.9 million has already been spent on advertisements for elections this year and several have contained deceptive claims about the candidates.
Dolan advised voters to research several resources for candidate information verses just one to become an informed voter and recommended several websites such as followmoney.org, factcheck.org, and the Associated Press (AP).
“The power of the voter is to get involved, go to forums, watch debates, see how the people talk, and judge for yourself,” said Dolan.
Voting requirements necessitate that the individual be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the U.S.
Phillips said that registration for voting is now open and encourages students who are eligible to register.
However, Phillips also warned students to be careful that they register where their home of record is to avoid complications for their schooling.
“For example, let’s say that you are a student at NIC from Montana,” said Phillips. “If you don’t register to vote in your state of record, it can affect your grants and financial aid.”
Open registration closes October 12.
