In the ‘90s, it was Rock the Vote. Today at Georgia Tech, it’s Wreck the Vote. 

In anticipation of the November presidential election, members of the Student Government Association (SGA) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. are spearheading a campaign encouraging students to engage in political discourse, register to vote and hit the polls Nov. 6.

Students will be able to register to vote via mobile registration sites hosted by their peers this week on Tech Walk.

“As students, just because we are busy with classes, work or extracurricular involvement, our views and ideas will not be represented in the American democratic system if we never speak out at the polls,” said Graham Goldberg, student lobby board chair for the undergraduate SGA. “Registering to vote is definitely a step in the right direction, but you ultimately have to cast a ballot to make a difference,” said Goldberg.

Tuesday night, the undergraduate SGA will host an open forum at 7:30 p.m. in Room 117 of the Student Services (Flag) Building prior to its regular meeting. All are invited to attend to hear from state politicians from state representatives – not about party platforms but about the importance of college students voting.

The Georgia deadline to register to vote in the November election is Tuesday, Oct. 9. Those unsure of where they’re registered, but know it’s in the state of Georgia, can visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter Page to find their precinct. Alternatively, students may file absentee ballots if they don’t want to register in the Atlanta area or have reason to want to vote at home, such as if their home precinct has what they believe will be a more contested race.

Viewing events for the upcoming presidential debates will provide a common place for students to watch and prepare to cast an educated ballot. Debates are scheduled for Oct. 3, 11, 16 and 22; all events will be held in the Student Center Theater, with the exception of the Oct. 3 viewing, which will take place outdoors at the Campanile.

The Wreck the Vote campaign kicked off Saturday with a tailgate and mobile voter registration drive prior to the football game against Miami. College Republicans, College Democrats, the Student Center Programs Council, Jackets for Obama and the African American Student Organization are also collaborating with SGA and Alpha Phi Alpha on this campaign.