This year has been nothing short of crazy. A pandemic, lives lost and a national quarantine. Still, we were asked to practice our civil duties as Americans– even with Covid-19 running rampant. So many put on their masks and headed to the polls- (some for the first time) and turned out in record breaking numbers.

Many know the importance of this election and the fact that it is the biggest election of their lives.

Indiana University graduate student, Jermaine Williams Jr, told us he understands the importance and privilege of the right to vote. Williams says that making sure that his vote is heard could make all the difference in his future and that of our country.

“I choose to exercise my right to vote because my vote is my voice. This is one of the most important elections in the history of America and voting is a privilege that I have that my ancestors did not,” Williams said.

 

Obviously, the process looked very different this year. Social distancing was taking place on voting lines and masks were mandatory. Many people waited for hours to cast their votes, and in Bloomington, the line sometimes stretched for blocks. A record number of voters came out to have a say in their democracy. Others cast their vote via mail-in ballots.

Kade Young, a news director for WFHB Radio in Bloomington had the opportunity to go out on foot and talk to some potential Bloomington voters about their thoughts and concerns relative to the election.

“This election has been surreal in the fact that– we are in a pandemic, right? We are expecting people to come out and hopefully socially distance at these polling sites and hope that they don’t transmit the virus, but that is a risk that they are willing to take,” said Young.

 

November 3rd came and went.  It was a first for many IU students but won’t be their last. Polling information was readily available online. deadlines for your state exclusively online