Dear Georgia Southern Community,

We’re less than 24 hours away from, possibly, the most consequential election of our lives. For many of us, this is the first presidential election we’ve voted in. 

In Georgia, 3.9 million voters have cast their ballots in the record-breaking early voting period; that accounts for 51% of registered voters in our state. Total voter turnout could reach as high as 6 million, breaking the previous record of 4.1 million voters set in 2016.

Over the weekend, I was asking one of my roommates, Nolan, when he was heading home to vote. Citing a wiffle ball game set for Monday and the three and a half hour ride back, he told me he wouldn’t be voting. 

After some pleas from one of my other roommates, Joey, and myself, and the promise that I would take care of his dog, he decided to head home to vote on Tuesday.

For Nolan, it was a nearly 500 mile round trip and an intramural game he didn’t want to miss. What is keeping you from voting?

I get it, as students we all have reasons why we won’t vote: school, jobs, social lives, etc. Especially in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, many of you are concerned about safety in polling places.

Just as there are many reasons why you won’t vote, there are just as many, if not more, reasons to go out and vote.

If you don’t like where we are as a country, vote! Likewise, if you like where we are as a country, vote! If you want your voice heard, vote! 

America depends on us to vote; vote for those that have died for your right to vote, vote for your future, vote for America!

Skip your wiffle ball game and make sure you exercise your civic duty on Tuesday.

See you at the polls,

Andy Cole

Editor-in-Chief, The George-Anne

News tip? Andy.Cole@thegeorgeanne.com