If this NASA astronaut can vote from space – surely anyone can back on planet Earth.
Kate Rubins, an American astronaut for NASA, plans to vote in 2020’s presidential election… from space. She’ll be in orbit upon the International Space Station – more than 200 miles above Earth’s surface – let alone the U.S. of A.
“I think it’s really important for everybody to vote,” Rubins adds. “If we can do it from space, then I believe folks can do it from the ground, too.”
Rubins is currently stationed on Star City base in Russia. She, along with two other astronauts, are preparing for their trip to space. Come this October, they’ll blast off to the ISS for a six-month stay amongst the stars.
Why is Rubins so passionate about voting, regardless of – well – being space? A better question is – as a U.S. astronaut and citizen – why wouldn’t she be?
NASA Astronaut Kate Rubins: “It’s critical to participate in [U.S.] democracy”
“It’s critical to participate in our democracy,” Rubins clarifies. “We consider it an honor to be able to vote from space.”
What are the legalities of voting from space? Luckily for astronauts, the city of Houston has their needs addressed. Most astronauts live in the Texas city, and Houston law allows astronauts to vote while out in the cosmos. In fact, both Rubins and fellow astronaut Shane Kimbrough cast their votes from space for the 2016 election.
Rubins will also help “celebrate the 20th anniversary of the continuous human presence in the space station”, according to the NYPost. Once she trades off with current occupants, Rubins and her team will become fully responsible for the upkeep of the famous installment.
And this NASA astronaut won’t be missing her chance to vote, either. Not for anything in – or out of – this world.
[H/T NYPost]
