Tuesday is the last day to register to vote

By Brittany Kasko

Published Oct 4, 2018

Computer mouse pads with Secure the Vote logo on them are seen on a vendor’s table at a convention of state secretaries of state Saturday, July 14, 2018, in Philadelphia. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen spoke at the convention, an event that’s usually a low-key affair highlighting voter registration, balloting devices and election security issues that don’t get much public attention. But coming amid fresh allegations into Russia’s attempts to sway the 2016 election, the sessions on election security have a higher level of urgency and interest. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

If you plan on voting Nov. 6, but aren’t registered, Tuesday is your last chance.

In five weeks, voters will hit the polls for the midterm election and many students don’t know what they need to do in order to vote or what the midterm election is all about.

There are a few basic things every voter should know:

- Voters must be registered
- Bring a form of ID (varies per state)
- Where to vote

Did you know that 38 States have Online Voter Registration? This means its as simple as going to our website and filling out this form: https://t.co/O0d4RiuOxc #MidtermsOnMyTerms #NationalVoterRegistrationDay pic.twitter.com/uMjl57P6Dg

— NatlVoterRegDay (@NatlVoterRegDay) September 17, 2018

Voters must submit a voting application prior to election day and must have it approved before casting a ballot.

Once their registration is approved voters can early vote in the two weeks leading up to the election or on election day.

On Election Day, Texas voters must bring a state issued ID in order for cast a ballot.

For out-of-state students like junior nursing major Kayla Seaman, early voting can still be an option. “I’m from California and had no idea how to cast my vote since I won’t be home during the election,” she said.

Students that are not registered to vote in Texas can send in an absentee voting ballot in advance to ensure their vote is counted.

Over 90 percent of absentee ballots from the 2016 election were returned and submitted successfully, according to the Election Administration and Voting Survey.

“The opportunity for citizens to express their views, refresh or maintain their leadership and decide the path to their future is always important,” said Heider Garcia, a Tarrant County elections administrator.

A lot of people ask the question: How do the midterms affect me?

In the 2018 election, a lot is at stake and the outcome could hold substantial value.

All 435 seats of the House of Representatives will be voted on and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are up for re-election.

Republicans hold the majority in the Senate with 51 seats. There are 35 Senate seats up for election, 26 are held by a Democrats.

Come January, it is possible for the power of the House to shift from the Republicans to the Democrats.

Students often don’t vote because they don’t realize that their vote may matter, said TCU political science professor, Dr. Grant Ferguson.

“While one vote is highly unlikely to be decisive in Presidential or statewide elections, local elections are often decided by margins of less than 300 votes,” said Ferguson.