As we enter fall and No School November, many seniors at Hillsborough High School have begun preparing for a big decision they may have to make on Tuesday. Eligible voters can vote for the President of the United States, US Senators representing the state of New Jersey, US House of Representatives for our congressional district, two County Commissioner Positions, and various positions at the township level Nov. 5,. “Voting is an important part of our democracy and being an American citizen,” said Blair Yusko, an eligible senior voter. 140 out of 592 of his peers are eligible to vote this November. 

During the last few months of the 23-24 school year, students in Robert Fenster’s AP US Government and Politics class held a voter registration drive.  Students went to the Health classes of Seniors and provided a step-by-step guide on how to register to vote for this election.  “The AP Gov classes have been doing voter registration annually for over 20 years. Data proves that voters who cast a vote at age 18 overwhelmingly become habitual voters. While we can’t force anyone to vote, the one thing that is indisputable is that if you’re not registered, you can’t vote,” said Fenster. 

With top positions of our nation’s government open and the balance of the Senate in question, this election is considered an important one. Candidates are vying for positions at federal, state, and local levels.“A functioning participatory democracy relies on its citizens to actively participate. Voting is just one of many ways citizens can participate, but it is one of the most important as we choose the people who represent us at the federal, state, and local level,” Fenster said. 

Although some eligible seniors are voting this year, some have decided not to. Senior River Lefkove said, “I’m choosing not to vote because neither of the presidential candidates align with my personal beliefs.” Lefkove is considering voting in future elections. 

With Hillsborough Schools closed on Tuesday, election day, eligible voters are able to vote at one of five locations in Hillsborough between the hours of 6 am and 8 pm. Voters can go to the Hillsborough Municipal Building, Auten Road Intermediate School, Hillsborough High School, Hillsborough Middle School, or the Woods Road Firehouse depending on the district that they live in. Eligible voters unable to vote in person can submit their ballots between Oct. 6 and Nov. 3 at the Municipal Building.