Johnson State College’s Student Government Association will be conducting a student voter registration drive on campus Tuesday, Oct. 23.

“Voting benefits students because it allows us to voice our opinions and show our support for our ideals and our political philosophy,” said Student Government Association President Shane Bouthillette.

The event will most likely be held in the Stearns Student Center lobby, but it is not a set location yet. Other details about the event, such as the time it will start or how long it will be, have not yet been decided, but what forms students will be able to fill out has been. The SGA has voter registration forms for students who live in Vermont and they will get those back to students’ hometowns for them, said Bouthillette.

Any student who is 18 or older or who is 17 but will be 18 by Election Day Nov. 6 is eligible to register to vote.

“It is important for this age group to vote because traditionally enough people aren’t coming out at elections, which means issues that are important to us like higher education… aren’t represented in our elected bodies,” said Bouthillette.

The SGA will also be able to help students who do not live in Vermont vote in their own hometowns as well. The SGA has absentee ballot request forms for students who live in states other than Vermont and are already registered to vote.

All 12 current members of the SGA will be participating in the voting drive, and the group is also looking for volunteers to help with the event. They hope to increase student participation in the upcoming elections in any way they can. “I think it is incredibly important that people voice their opinions,” said Bouthillette.

A similar voter registration event planned for Sep. 24 by Residence Life never materialized.