The race to Election Day is hitting its final stages, with both presidential candidates gunning to sprint across the finish line for the most coveted title in U.S. politics. At this point in the game, the competition is left solely to one group of people: the voters. 

As the highly anticipated presidential election approaches, the start of October marks the period of voter registration. While many new and eligible voters remain aware of the impending election, it can be difficult to understand the process of registration. This year, building staff arrived ready to assist eligible student voters. 

To earn eligibility in November’s election, voters must be 18 years old by Nov. 5. Some seniors will be eligible to vote in this election, but even students who are not 18 yet may have the ability to register to vote. During Academic Lab on Oct. 2, students who were 17-and-a-half years or older were invited to the library for assistance with voter registration. Librarian Lauren Reusch notes the value of providing help with registration to student voters.

“With a big election coming up, there’s more awareness about people wanting to vote,” Reusch said. “[But] a lot of kids don’t know that they can register to vote when they’re 17-and-a-half years old, even if they’re not going to be 18 by the next election. We’re helping kids take that next step.”

Alongside the Academic Lab voter registration session, the nonpartisan organization League of Women Voters visited the school during lunch periods to further assist student voters with registration. The League of Women Voters works to expand voting rights at various levels, often working with West High during voter registration season. Senior Gianna Lionelli echoes the League of Women Voters’ sentiment in the democratic power of voting.

“It’s important, as a U.S. citizen, to exercise our civic duty and our civic right to vote,” Lionelli said. “We are a part of this community and society, so it’s important to help make change for the better for everyone.”

For Missouri voters, the registration deadline is Oct. 9 and can be completed online, printed and mailed, or submitted in-person at your local election office. However, with a multitude of options on the process of registering, finding the simplest method can be confusing for new student voters.

“[Registering] can be complicated if you do it alone, so it’s very helpful for teachers to teach about it,” junior Ian Perez said. 

Options like visiting the library for Academic Lab or stopping by the League of Women Voters’ stand at lunch offered student voters the confidence to solidify their political voice with professional adult experience to rely on. The availability of these opportunities led several students to make the impulse decision to register to vote, growing the voice of a younger demographic in politics.

“Our whole lives, people who have been influencing what happens are people who are older than us,” Lionelli said. “Now, we finally have a voice in what’s going on, so it’s important that they hear our perspective and hear what we have to say.”

Though the assistance offered gave many students the opportunity to officially enter the public political sphere, there is still time for students and adults to register before the Oct. 9 deadline. Eligible voters may visit the Voter Registration page at the Missouri Secretary of State website to complete their online registration.

“Make sure you vote and make sure you stay educated,” Lionelli said.