For the last six weeks, much of the nation has been under attack—to the threat democracy imposes upon each and every one of us. Finding the courage to legitimately find truth between issues and debates that candidates have discussed, has now lead to the daunting action of voting. A privilege seen by all, yet so many choose not to vote, wasting the freedom that soldiers have fought for decades to give us. The right to vote has now become a powerful weapon to which we fight for the one man we want to lead our nation.

Throughout the New River Valley citizens have been registering to vote in preparation for one of the biggest elections in this generation. Attending the Blacksburg Public Library was an example of democracy in physical appearance. Here, and in other districts, people in large numbers came to cast their votes.

For this day, illuminated pillars light the way to a bright entrance where the poll machines are located. People out front greet you and hand you stickers and fliers to persuade the last undecided voter. Amy Mauldon, a Blacksburg School Board candidate has been running back and forth from polling stations trying to cover the race and offer her services.

“This election is extremely important, so great for democracy,” she said. Helping her own campaign of joining the Montgomery County School Board, she certainly knows the importance of educated voters and having them in numbers.
Though voting lasts all day, most people come early before work to cast their candidates. “We had huge lines all morning (at all polling locations),” Mauldon said. She also stated there were few problems, except for the large crowds. People have clearly seen this election as an important one, with a 7.3% increase in voter registration since the last presidential election.

Engulfing Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg has seen a large number of students register within one of their many voting districts. As the polls were coming to an end, a few college students seem to arrive just in time to have their voice heard. Dashing inside the library, with squalls of poll workers laughing, they only seemed interested in getting their votes in. They left as quickly as they arrived, like so many before had done hours earlier.

As the day comes to an end and the votes get counted, people will sit back and watch the rat race of politics unfold before them on television sets. The end result will be victorious, depending on each individual, but ultimately this one-day battle cry of voters demonstrates how far the people have come to realize that they must be heard, or their silence will be punished.

Wheatley Stefan is an intern for the New River Voice.