Constitution Day celebration encourages students to vote

Delaware Technical Community College held a Constitution Day celebration on Sept. 16 at each campus’ Financial Aid Centers. Students enjoyed free Rita’s Italian Ice while learning important lessons about the Nation's Constitution and voting.

Connie Jones, from the League of Women Voters of Sussex County, represented her nonpartisan group dedicated to educating the community on their right to vote. Booths were set up encouraging students to vote, helping them to register, handing out copies of the Constitution and helping to understand their polling cards.

“Our only purpose is to encourage people to exercise their right to vote,” said Jones.

Pamphlets were handed out on the 2016 deadlines for the presidential and state primaries, as well as the general election registry date. Pamphlets taught students where to vote, how to vote, and how to become registered to vote, and even what to do if they have issues when voting.

Mary Tress, a student of Delaware Tech, came to the festivities with one of her classes. She had been voting since she was 18 years old, but still found the program helpful.

“It’s important to encourage people to vote and to know what to do. At the end of the day it is your decision. You decide how to vote,” Said Tress.

The Financial Aid Center also had important news for students, regarding the changes to the FAFSA process for 2017-18. Students will be able to submit a 2017-18 FAFSA as early as Oct. 1 every year, and will report income and tax information from an earlier tax year.

For more information on how to register to vote for the upcoming 2016 elections, visit http://ivote.de.gov

A Constitution Day celebration was held on Sept. 16 at the Financial Aid Center at Delaware Tech, Owens Campus. Photo by K. Jefferson