The polls come to Prairie View A&M University

 For over a decade, students at Prairie View A&M University have questioned and urged commissioners in Waller County to create more accessible polling stations.
"Since the 1970s, voting as a whole has always been an issue on this campus so it is especially important that the students have a say so in the decisions that are being made. It will affect them their experience at the university," said senor political science major and SGA president Priscilla Barbour.
However, in recent years, campaigns such as Rock the Vote and Vote or Die have promoted voting by students.
These campaigns run on the basis that it is important to be informed about what is going on politically as elections do affect everyone. Also, they run on the fact that there is power in numbers, meaning that if the young people cast their votes their voices will be heard.
Senior criminal justice major Amanda Leon said, "I've always wondered why we didn't have a polling station directly on campus when there is a clear need for it."
Seeing the need for change Barbour decided to step up and organize a campaign in support of a polling station on campus.
Barbour took the initiative to write a letter to Texas Secretary of State, John Steen Jr., about student's concerns with accessible voting poll stations. She included an argument about students without transportation having difficulty getting around and that the current situation is a violation of the Federal Voting Rights Act which protects voting rights. In addition, the letter also requested Steen's physical presence for a first-hand account of the current situation.
Steen agreed that students had a valid argument about the location of polling stations.
Leon said, "We could have so much power, if we would just take advantage of it. Sometimes the way polling stations are designed that way to stifle our voices as young, educated, minorities. We can't let that happen."
Students and faculty members gained the support of several political leaders, state officials, and political organizations. For instance, True the Vote, which is a national organization that focuses on the protection of voting, was a major contributor.
"Even though they are extremely conservative tea party, Republican type of organization, the fact that they were so willing to help this one little small historical black college meant a lot," said Barbour.
Student's voices are finally being heard and a polling station will soon be available to students who would like to participate in the upcoming elections. When and where?
Barbour concluded, " Our students know they are one of the strongest forces in this county, but we have to have access to express our beliefs, express our point of view within the decision making process."

With the support of the county's new election administrator Robyn German, Prairie View is well on its way to having voting polls in November and becoming an additional option for voting for Waller county residents.