Tuesday is the last day to vote and free transportation will be available for students to the polls. Martha Rhine | The Crow’s Nest
By Dylan Hart
The Center for Civic Engagement will partner with the Leadership and Student Organizations office to provide transportation for students going to the polls on Election Day.
A van will provide free rides from the Student Life Center to the Coliseum event venue and back every hour Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students can sign up for the van via PeteSync on LSO’s page or in SLC 1700. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and those waiting in line at 7 p.m. can still vote.
Only students who are registered to vote in downtown St. Petersburg, which includes the USF St. Petersburg campus, will be able to vote at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N.
Students who are unsure about their voting precinct can check their voter registration card, which will list their polling place for county elections, or visit votepinellas.com and select “Find Your Precinct.”
The university has pushed to involve students in the election, fighting through both campus apathy and a relatively low election involvement rate among young voters. LSO and CCE hosted an event Oct. 31 to inform students about absentee and early voting, which ended Nov. 4.
LSO coordinator Abigail Bradley stressed the importance of voting in the upcoming election.
“I think every election is important,” Bradley said. “It’s a chance for any person to have their voice be heard by their local community. You may not live in St. Pete forever, but while you’re here, you should want to care about your local politicians.”
Alongside transportation, LSO will host “Floats for Votes” in The Reef from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 6, providing free root beer floats to students to celebrate the right to vote.
In an email to students, Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock informed the campus that Uber and Lyft will provide free rides to the polls on election day. The PSTA Looper trolley also provides free transportation to several locations downtown, including the Coliseum.
“As an institution of higher education, one of our vital missions is to prepare students to become thoughtful, engaged citizens,” Tadlock said in the email. “I believe it is everyone’s responsibility to be well informed so they can meaningfully participate in strengthening our democratic government and institutions.”
Understanding the ballot
Sometimes people miss out on voting due to lack of understanding of what’s on the ballot. So, here’s a list of links that break down both the amendments and candidates for office. Remember that if you’re unsure about a certain item, you can leave it blank without abstaining from voting altogether.
The Tampa Bay Times: “Tampa Bay Times 2018 Florida voter guide: Candidates for governor, Legislature and county office”
Gives a rundown, based on your address, each candidate on the ballot and their stances on various issues.
The Tampa Bay Times: “All the Times election recommendations in one place” https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/all-the-times-election-recommendations-in-one-place-20181006/
The Times editorial team suggests how to vote on each candidate and amendment, with explanations provided.
Florida Today: “A voter’s guide to Florida’s 12 amendments on the 2018 election ballot” https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/2018/10/01/what-12-amendments-floridas-2018-ballot-mean/1456352002/
Explains each of the amendments, as well as who supports and opposes them.
League of Women Voters: “Pinellas County Election Guide”
https://vote.lwvspa.org/election-guide/
Provides full text of each referendum, explains what a “yes” or “no” vote would mean, and lists supporters and opponents of each item.
