November 6, 2012 at 10:16 AM

Voters were lined up before polls opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday despite the frosty temperatures.

The line at Park Crest Terrace Apartments consisted of first time voters, students and some who have been voting for years.

Families with children bundled up and bleary-eyed, asking parents why they had to vote, also waited in line. Some patrons held coffee or hot chocolate; others had snacks while they waited in line.

Many in line were students voting for the first time, and had strong opinions about the importance of getting out and casting a vote.

Shanttel Liberato (senior-hotel restaurant and institutional management) said the outcome of the election in reference to policies on student loans and benefits is important.

“It’s my first year voting and I’m graduating soon, so I think this election will affect me directly,” Liberato said.

Amanda Cooper said she feels that if she wants change, she needs to speak up for it.

“Democracy is very important in this country. I think my vote counts,” Cooper (senior-crime, law and justice) said.

Some students did not realize just how important voting was until recently. Dane Lathroum said he never paid attention to the election until this year.

However, Lathroum (senior-Asian studies) said he did not have a strong opinion on the voter ID law not being in place for this election. He said he believes that the government has to right to “do everything they need to [in order] to make voting fair."

Other students had stronger opinions on the law. Cooper said she believes that the Voter ID law is “unconstitutional.”

“I feel like there is some kind of agenda behind it,” she said.