Voting 101: Cast an informed ballot

With Election Day approaching fast, there are many voters still undecided about for whom to vote for. For many college students, it will be their first time at the polls. With all the information, issues and campaigning being pumped into the public spotlight, students often feel it is hard to recognize the truth about the candidates.\n"For any undecided or first-time voter that does not have a clear understand(ing) of a candidate's position, I would recommend visiting the candidate's official Web site," said Michael Ensley, a professor in the political science department. \nThe candidate's official Web site offers necessary information about a candidate's history. Besides history, visitors can read about the candidate's position on the many issues targeted in this year's election.\nThere are many media outlets that provide continuous election coverage. From television to radio, there are hundreds of media programs offering constant information about the different candidates. \n"A great source of media coverage for the election is National Public Radio on 103.7 WFIU. I believe that NPR offers a more detailed and in-depth news than other media broadcasts available to the public," Ensley said. \n"A Web site, www.factcheck.org, will allow you to research a candidate's statement and check how factual the statement actually is," said Ensley. Web sites like this one are run by nonprofit organizations that allow the public to review how accurate a candidate's statements really are.\n"Before going to the polls, I believe that all voters should have a basic understanding of the candidates' stances ... The person you vote for might win the election, and that candidate's future decisions while in office will affect you," said junior Austin Vanderheyden and first-time voter. Vanderheyden watched all three presidential debates and reads articles posted on www.cnn.com about the candidates. \n"Watching the debates provided me with a lot of information and helped make my decision on whom to vote for," Vanderheyden said. \nOnce voters have made their decisions, the next step is to go vote on Nov. 2. For many students, this is the first time at the polls. While going to vote might sound like a difficult process, Election Board Chief Department Clerk Jessica White said it is in fact a very simple task and only takes a few minutes to cast your vote. \n"There is no paperwork to fill out. All you have to do is go to your assigned precinct, sign in at the desk, and then you step into the booth and cast your vote," White said.\nSometimes finding the precinct voters are assigned to and where to go is about the most difficult part of voting. There are a total of 92 precincts in Monroe County alone, with 72 different polling sites. \n"Once a person is registered to vote, they will receive a letter that states where you are assigned go to cast your vote," White said. \nThere are five polling sites in which 12 precincts report to vote on the University's property. Assembly Hall, Briscoe Quad, Eigenmann Hall, Read Center and Teter Quad will all be hosting polling booths on Nov. 2. \nThe wait to use the polling booths might be long at certain hours of the day. At some of the polling booths, the wait can get as long as an hour before you can cast your vote. \n"The polling booths' busiest times are between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m," White said. "If you do not want to wait for very long, then I would recommend not showing up at those hours."\n"This election year we have almost 100,000 people registered to vote in Monroe County," White said. "But as usually the actual voting turnout is about half of the number of people registered."\n-- Contact staff writer Nick Pittman at npittman@indiana.edu.