This year, Election Day is on Nov. 5th. At Lebanon Trail High School, we have many senior students who are newly eligible to vote in the 2024 presidential election. Students who were at or over the age of 17 years and 10 months were able to register to vote until the deadline on Oct. 7th. However, you must be 18 at the time of the election to vote. 

Early voting begins on Oct. 21 and ends on Nov. 1st. You can choose to vote in person or by mail, which can be more convenient. Take advantage of early voting to ensure your voice is heard without the hassle. The other alternative is in-person voting on Election Day. However, lines are often long and slow at every polling station on Election Day, so using the opportunity to vote early can save you a lot of time. 

Additionally, Nov. 5th is a Tuesday, which means many students hoping to vote will be in school. If you are planning to vote in-person, it may be better to go to a polling station early rather than waiting until Election Day to avoid any last-minute absences. A list of polling locations for early and day-of voting in Frisco can be found on the Collin County website.

When you head to the polls, don’t forget a valid photo ID—whether it’s your driver’s license or a U.S. passport, having it ready is key.

Ultimately, the decisions of where and when to vote is up to the voter in question. You may choose to vote in person in two weeks or mail-in a ballot on Halloween night. Either way, your vote matters!