OUR OPINION: While this ballot design may be confusing, it distracts from the problem of people not knowing enough about the candidates they are voting for.

Election Day is Nov. 4, and while some predict record turnouts at the polls, some voters may not actually cast a vote for president due to North Carolina’s confusing ballot, which does not include the presidential nominee as part of a straight-ticket vote.

Given North Carolina’s new status as a swing state, this could have huge implications for the presidential election. However, this does not mean the state needs to include the presidential election in the straight-ticket vote. Students should go into the polls informed — one way they can do this is to use voters’ guides.

Michael Cobb, an assistant professor in political science, said there really is no way to know the impact of separating the presidential election from other races on the ticket. Cobb said people may not want to vote for candidates they do not have enough information about or in races they do not want to vote in.

Ironically, North Carolina Democrats created the law responsible for separating the presidential race from the down-ticket races. Cobb said Democrats created the law to help their down-ticket candidates, as North Carolina tended to vote Republican for president, which hurt Democrats, who did well in state and local races.

Ultimately, there is no way to know who voters intended to vote for, and there is no way to determine if the ballot design has any impact on the presidential election.

The only certainty is that all voters, including students, need to be as informed as possible. It is a right and civic duty to vote, but voters also have immense responsibility. The people voters elect into office will control taxes, laws and government programs for the next few years.

State election boards are responsible for ensuring fair, transparent elections, and the various parties and candidates need to present their positions to voters. But voters have the final say in who they elect, and they need to take the initiative in researching candidates and getting to the polling stations.

Various news agencies, including Technician, produced voters’ guides and FAQs with information regarding candidates’ positions and voting procedures. Students need to use these resources and make the responsible choice by voting based on the facts.