Voting is a fundamental right, and college students play a pivotal role in this process. But when it comes to voting, it seems that the process to cast a vote is becoming harder through the years for these students. 

Despite their influence, colleges often miss the opportunity to encourage and influence their students to vote by failing to provide them with information about on-campus polling locations. Providing clear communication about on-campus polling options increases student voter turnout, encourages civic engagement and creates a more active student body. 

VSU has an on-campus polling location for students and citizens of Valdosta, which many students did not know about.  

Once the word spread through the student body, the University Center was filled on election day with students who were not able to go home to vote or did not receive their absentee ballot on time. 

Students, especially first-time voters between the ages of 18- 24, historically have the lowest voter turnout, according to Statista.com. Many reasons contribute to this, like the pressure of voting and lack of motivation. Because of these factors, it is helpful for colleges to provide details of when and where students can vote on campus if there is a location available. 

The convenience of an on-campus polling location means little if students are not made aware or given updated information about how it works. 

When colleges do not advertise campus polling locations, they unknowingly create barriers that affect students who lack resources of polling locations or voting information in general, especially if they have demanding schedules that make it harder for students to go off campus to vote. 

Although students can find information about voter registration and absentee ballots in their own time, it would still be helpful for colleges to provide this information for those students who have no idea what they are doing. 

To have a more engaged voter turnout, colleges must motivate their students to vote, which could also promote civic responsibility within the student body and ensure that all students have an equal opportunity when it comes to practicing their rights, instead of worrying that they will not have the opportunity. 

There are many organizations on-campus that try to spread information about voting and the candidates running, but VSU should also start spreading more word about the University Centers polling location. Having this information will decrease the stress that students go through when election season comes around. 

This editorial reflects the general opinion of The Spectator staff.