College Voter Prep Guide

By Genevieve Carlton

Published on September 21, 2021

College Voter Prep Guide

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Tips for Registering & Voting on Campus

In 2020, Gen Z will make up 10% of eligible voters, and Millennials volition make upward 27% of the electorate.

Young voters take the ability to change elections, and examining the presidential candidates' can assistance. But less than half of voters age 18-24 are registered to vote, and voter turnout for youth voters remains lower than other age groups.

College voting matters, and understanding how to vote in higher helps young voters participate in the procedure.

For example, higher students sometimes detect it hard to vote in person on election day. With busy schoolhouse and work schedules, a lack of transportation, and polling locations off campus, voting in person can be challenging.

But college students have more options than ever before to cast their ballot before election 24-hour interval. In 2018, nearly twoscore% of voters used early voting or mail-in ballots to cast their vote, a number that will probable increase thanks to the pandemic.

Why College Voters Thing

The 2018 ballot posted the highest youth voter turnout of any midterm election since the country lowered the voting age to 18. But that record-high turnout withal meant that but 28% of immature people showed upwardly at the polls.

Many college students are engaged and active in fighting for bug that matter in their lives, but young voters face up some unique barriers to participating in elections.

Why do young voters sometimes miss an election? Many registered immature voters who saturday out the 2016 election reported trouble locating their polling place, difficulty getting to the polls, and long lines as reasons they failed to vote. Others said they were too busy on ballot solar day.

Students juggling a busy schedule tin asking a mail-in ballot in nearly every country. Those who adopt to vote in person tin can figure out their polling location well before election 24-hour interval, blocking off time in their schedule in case of long lines.

By voting in college, students can stand for their generation on critical topics like the environment, the economy, and social justice. College voters can likewise vote for changes inside the academic system by supporting candidates who push button for higher education funding or address the educatee debt crunch.

Young voters have the most to lose if they sit out elections. The decisions that elected officials make now will shape higher students for the rest of their lives, impacting their hereafter for decades. By voting, college students tin can make their voices heard. Make a programme today to annals and vote in the next election.

How to Register & Vote in College

Registering to vote is easy. For near applicants, it only takes a few minutes. Merely earlier you make full out an online or paper voter registration application, you need to decide where to register, check deadlines, and make up one's mind whether to join a political political party. This section lays out the steps you demand to take to register and vote, forth with resources to navigate the voter registration process.

Step 1: Decide Where to Annals

Deciding where to register is the starting time step to becoming a registered voter.

Can you register to vote in your college state? Yeah -- as long every bit you don't besides annals and try to vote in your home land. If you're registered to vote in your home land, make certain to request an absentee ballot.

For some students, registering in their dwelling house state makes the most sense, especially if they're planning to move back later college. Other students prefer to register where they're attending college, especially if they're involved in local political organizations or activist groups.

Step 2: Check Deadlines and Eligibility

In the U.Southward., you lot tin can register to vote earlier y'all turn 18, as long as you lot're 18 by ballot day. In some states, similar California, sixteen- to 17-twelvemonth-olds can pre-register to vote and automatically go registered voters on their 18th altogether. Learn more near historic period requirements by state.

In addition to coming together eligibility requirements, new voters likewise need to check the deadline to register to vote. Many states require eligible voters to submit their forms xv-xxx days before the election. Other states allow new voters register on election day at the polls. In full general, information technology's a skilful thought to annals as early on equally possible rather than waiting until the deadline.

Check out VoteAmerica for a list of registration deadlines in every state, including which states allow election mean solar day registration.

Pace 3: Declare a Political party Affiliation, If Needed

Some states enquire voters to declare a party affiliation when they register to vote, but no country requires information technology. New voters can make up one's mind for themselves whether to bring together a party when they annals to vote.

Party amalgamation mainly matters in primary elections. In some states, such as New York, Oregon, Nevada, and Florida, only registered party members can vote in a primary. In these states, remaining undeclared can mean you are non allowed to vote in a chief. Other states allow undeclared voters participate in primaries while banning members of other political parties. In an open up primary, anyone can vote, regardless of their party affiliation.

The National Conference of State Legislatures provides a rundown of state master ballot types for more information.

In general elections, party amalgamation does not touch on your eligibility to vote or your choice of candidates. Declaring a party affiliation does not mean yous can't vote for any other political party.

Pace iv: Register to Vote

In every state except N Dakota, citizens need to register before they tin can vote. College student voter registration can exist as simple as filling out a form online. VoteAmerica offers a voter registration tool that just takes a few minutes to consummate.

In 39 states, y'all tin can register to vote online. In the other states, you lot demand to submit a paper form or register in person. To vote in the U.S., you must be a denizen and eighteen years quondam by election 24-hour interval. A pocket-sized number of states require proof of citizenship to register. In virtually states, applicants only demand to check a box and sign to indicate they are a citizen.

Later on y'all register, you may receive a voting card in the mail with data about your polling location. Make sure to confirm your registration before you head to the polls -- a procedure discussed in more than item beneath.

Step 5: Request an Absentee Ballot if Necessary

Every state lets voters submit a ballot by post. Voting past mail appeals to college students who choose to vote in their hometown elections rather than registering to vote at their college. Even those registering with their college address may prefer the flexibility of a mail-in ballot.

However, the rules for requesting an absentee election vary depending on the country. In 34 states and D.C., voters can apply for a no-excuse absentee ballot. In eight states, voters must provide a reason for voting by post, and the pandemic might not count equally an excused reason.

If yous do choose an absentee election, make sure to update your mailing address every time you motion. Don't forget to asking your mail service-in ballot before your country's borderline. Wait up absentee ballot deadlines to make certain you asking a election on time. Finally, check out the VoteAmerica absentee election form to asking your post-in ballot.

Footstep half-dozen: Go Vote

Don't forget the concluding and near important footstep -- voting!

The voting procedure varies by state. Some students must go to a physical polling location on election day. Voting centers operate on dissimilar schedules in different states. Voters in Louisiana, Maine, and New Bailiwick of jersey can head to the polls starting at half-dozen a.thou., and voters in Iowa and New York tin cast ballots until 9 p.m. Look up the voting times in each land to notice out when to vote in your land.

Make sure to articulate time in your schedule to vote, unless you sign upward for a post-in ballot. In that case, mail back your election equally early equally possible. If you're voting in person, gear up for lines and potentially long wait times. Cheque out the VoteAmerica list of voter ID laws to brand sure you lot bring any required identification to the polls.

Also, remember: if you're in line by the time the polls close, y'all can withal vote. Below, nosotros encompass everything yous should know before you vote.

Enquire an Expert: Student Voting FAQs

Portrait of Mary Weaver Bennett

Mary Weaver Bennett

Mary Weaver Bennett is the manager of the Michael O. Leavitt Heart for Politics and Public Service at Southern Utah University. She is a specialist in legislative and regulatory policy matters for the financial services industry, specializing in electronic payments, fintech, authorities relations, advocacy and communications.

How do I vote if I'chiliad studying abroad?

United states of america.gov is a great resource for anyone needing to vote overseas. Essentially, the registered voter would need to obtain an absentee election.

What address should I use to register if I live in a dorm?

As a dorm resident, a pupil would need to employ the physical address of the dorms, every bit opposed to the physical address for the academy. For case, SUU'south address is 351 W Academy Blvd., while the address for one of the dorms is 645 W 200 S Apt. # __.

Does where I annals to vote affect my scholarships?

Generally, no. If a educatee receives scholarship coin, it is important to confirm that residency in a item place is not a requirement of the scholarship and/or that voter registration will non touch on your eligibility.

Does where I register to vote impact my fiscal assist?

No, information technology volition non affect whatsoever federal financial help, including Pell Grants, Perkins and Stafford Loans, Academic Competitive Grants, SMART Grants, and other federal loans. Some private scholarships and grants are designated for residents of a detail place, so it is skillful to check with the administrator of the program to run across how they decide residency.

Does where I annals to vote touch my in- or out-of-state tuition status?

A student'due south tuition status depends on where they are a resident. And then yep, where a student is registered can affect in- or out-of-state tuition status.

Does where I annals to vote affect whether my parents tin claim me on their taxes?

No, a parent can still claim a child on their taxes, no matter where they are registered to vote.

Does where I register to vote bear upon my health insurance?

No, where you lot register to vote will not bear upon your health insurance.

Do I demand to annals for a new driver's license if I register to vote in a new country?

If your current address does not match your driver'southward license, you tin can register to vote at your new address and the ID and proof of residency requirements with your Secretarial assistant of State'southward role. Y'all may need to get a new driver's license.

What to Know Before Y'all Vote

Registering to vote is only part of the process. College students as well need to inquiry the bug, learn nearly the candidates, and make a plan to cast their ballot in person or by mail. This department covers the steps you demand to take to navigate the voting process, along with helpful resource to make voting in higher easier.

Notice Out What Issues You Intendance About

Each voter prioritizes different issues during elections. Students should figure out what bug matter most to them, such equally taxes, social justice policies, or environmental proposals. Other major issues include national security, healthcare, immigration, education, foreign policy, and the economic system.

After identifying core issues, voters tin look into the position of different parties and candidates on those issues.

How can you larn more about the problems? Political parties put out platforms stating their position on multiple issues. Voters can besides research policy proposals and await into each candidate'southward plans for particular issues or challenges. Virtually candidates provide information on their policy positions on their website. Voters can also visit VoteSmart to look upward the voting record for elected officials or search their public statements on different topics.

Go along in listen that no single candidate agrees with voters on every result. Instead, students need to prioritize the issues and notice the candidate who best represents their position.

Inquiry Political Parties

In the U.South., two primary political parties dominate government: the Republican Political party and the Democratic Party. A candidate from one of the ii major parties has won every presidential election in U.Due south. history. But voters tin can also expect into 3rd-party options, peculiarly when considering state and local elections.

Information technology's also a good idea to castor up on the American voting system and how it works. Some college voters probably oasis't thought about the electoral college since loftier school, merely understanding the role of the electoral higher tin help voters empathize the value of their vote.

In addition to learning more virtually political parties, students can await into organizations they back up to come across if those organizations endorse whatever candidates. Newspapers, elected officials, and private citizens may besides endorse candidates. An endorsement from a trusted source can aid voters decide between two candidates.

Decide Which Candidates Speak to Y'all

Before heading to the polls or sitting down with your mail-in election, make sure to research each candidate and their position on political issues. Voters should look into each candidate's position on the issues almost of import to them, such every bit jobs and the economy, climate change, and social justice. Watching debates can help students larn more about the candidates. Registered voters may also receive a voter information guide from their county or country.

After researching the problems and learning more about the candidates, students can make up one's mind how to cast their vote.

Information technology can be overwhelming to walk into the voting booth or open a mail-in election merely to find a long list of candidates and election measures. Visit Vote411 to await upwardly a personalized ballot for your area. Remember that in add-on to national elections, your ballot will contain state and local elections. Plan to become informed early so you'll exist prepared to fill out your ballot.

Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote

College students should always check to brand sure they're registered to vote well earlier election day. Maybe yous tin't think if you're already registered or you desire to double bank check that the country candy your registration awarding. Perhaps you've recently moved and need to cheque that you're registered in the right county or country. Either style, it'southward good to cheque your voter registration in advance.

Check out the VoteAmerica voter registration verification tool to discover out if you're registered to vote.

If you aren't registered, there might all the same be fourth dimension. Many states fix a deadline to register, which tin be several weeks before the ballot. Other states let new voters register on election day. Visit VoteAmerica to look up registration deadlines in your state. Similarly, if you plan to vote past mail, bank check the deadline to request a mail service-in ballot in your state.

Double Check Your Voter Registration Status

Discover a Polling Place Near Yous or Sign upward for Postal service-in Voting

Don't await until election day to make a programme to vote. Instead, make sure to find your polling identify ahead of fourth dimension. Some schools offering polling locations on campus, while others practise non. Students tin can utilize the VoteAmerica Polling Place Locator to find out where to vote in their area.

College voters can also sign up for mail-in voting. When voters sign upwards for voting by postal service, they receive a ballot in the mail service, which they tin can fill out, sign, and submit via mail or a drop-off box. Voting by mail service dates back to the Civil War, and in the 2016 election nearly one in 4 voters cast their votes past mail. In fact, more 190 million Americans live in states that offer voting by mail.

The deadlines to apply for a mail-in election differ depending on the land. In every state, voters who vote by mail should programme to ship in their election before election day to make sure their local election part receives the ballot on time and counts their vote.

Where Is My Polling Identify?

Brand Sure You Set Aside Time on Voting Day

If yous're voting in person, mark your agenda today to set aside time on election day to cast your election. If you're voting by mail, marker your agenda at to the lowest degree a week before ballot mean solar day to return your election. Also set aside time to read your ballot fully and fill up out the form before sending in a mail-in ballot.

Some polling places may have long wait lines, then voters should exist prepared to wait to cast their ballot. You lot should also make a plan for what y'all'll need to bring to the polls, including a valid photo identification if required in your country. VoteAmerica provides a list of voter ID requirements by state. If you lot forget your identification, y'all should ask to cast a provisional ballot.

Student Voting Resource

Afterward registering to vote, brand sure you're informed on the issues. The following resources help students gear up to vote by providing data on political parties, candidate positions, and policy debates. You can fifty-fifty take a quiz to observe out which candidate all-time matches your views.

Staying informed is the best way to make sure your vote represents what matters to y'all. College voters tin can learn near the major political parties, fact bank check politicians, and larn more than about voter registration with the following educatee voting resources.

  • Official Republican Party Website: The Republican Party promotes choice in healthcare and the economy, an finish to regime overreach, and equal opportunity. The site provides data about GOP candidates for function; the Republican platform; and the party's stance on issues like the economy, family values, and national security.
  • Official Democratic Political party Website: The Democratic Political party promotes universal healthcare, economical security for working Americans, and an finish to inequality and oppression. The party runs candidates in most every local, state, and national election. Visitors can learn more nigh the Democratic platform and candidates running as Democrats at the site.
  • Official Green Party Website: The Green Party promotes the iv pillars of peace and non-violence, ecological wisdom, grassroots democracy, and social justice. The political party rejects corporate money and provides organizing tools and back up for activists. Visitors to the site tin can learn more about the Light-green Party platform, find state Green Party organizations, and learn about elected officials in the Green Party.
  • Democratic Socialists of America: The Democratic Socialists of America promotes progressive activity for social change. The party pushes for reforms that weaken the power of corporations and strengthen the power of working people. College students tin can participate through the party'southward youth department, Young Autonomous Socialists of America, which hosts capacity on multiple higher campuses.
  • Communist Political party Us: The Communist Political party dates back to 1919 and promotes the dismantling of the capitalist system to eliminate class struggle. The political party platform attacks income inequality, exploitation, and oppression while arguing for a socialist response to the country's crises. Visitors tin learn more about the party and its positions on the website.
  • Official Libertarian Party Website: The Libertarian Party, which calls itself the "party of principle," opposes government interference in people's lives and business decisions. The political party promotes policies that promote Americans' freedom from government. On the official website, visitors tin can read virtually the party platform; larn nearly issues; and find Libertarian candidates at the local, state, and national levels.
  • Debate.org: An online community with an international telescopic, Debate.org lets visitors debate issues and learn from others. The site offers opinion polls, forums, and a community board. Members can claiming each other to debates on specific topics, with votes from the customs determining the winner.
  • VoteSmart: VoteSmart provides factual and unbiased information on political candidates and elected officials. The site provides the voting records of members of Congress and state legislators and shares candidates' issue positions and biographical information. Visitors can as well look upwards special involvement group ratings of elected officials and data on campaign finances.
  • FactCheck.org: A non-partisan, nonprofit organisation, FactCheck.org monitors the factual accuracy of political ads, debates, interviews, speeches, and news releases. By fact checking authorities officials, the site aims to reduce deception and confusion in politics. Visitors to the site can learn more about the accuracy of political statements and increase their understanding of elections.
  • I Side With…: A site founded in 2012, I Side With offers quizzes to assist undecided voters see how their interests and priorities line up with candidates for function. By taking the quiz, visitors tin can come across how their beliefs marshal with candidates in main and general elections. The site also offers voter guides, polls, and information on issues.
  • Eye for American Progress: An independent policy institute, the Center for American Progress promotes progressive ideas through research. The recall tank develops new policy ideas in areas like criminal justice, didactics, civil rights, the economy, gun violence prevention, and democracy. Through its research, the Middle for American Progress aims to prioritize the common good over self-interest.
  • The Intercept: A left-leaning organisation, The Intercept offers adversarial journalism and in-depth investigations. The news arrangement focuses on politics, war, criminal justice, national security, the environment, technology, and corruption. The Intercept encourages its journalists to expose abuse and injustice. In addition to articles, The Intercept creates podcasts and videos.
  • It'due south Going Down: A digital platform defended to agitator and anti-fascist movements, It's Going Downwardly publicizes and promotes revolutionary theory and action. The site publishes original content, hosts a weekly radio testify, and offers several podcast series. Visitors can acquire more about anti-capitalist and anti-colonial movements on the platform.
  • NPR – National Public Radio: An independent, nonprofit organization, NPR provides unbiased media coverage of politics and regime. Millions of people turn to NPR to learn more than near the news, current events, and elections. With its mission of creating a more informed public, NPR is a valuable resource for voters seeking information.
  • National Association of Secretaries of State – Tin I Vote: In each state, the Secretary of Land oversees voting. A nonpartisan site, the Can I Vote resource helps eligible voters make up one's mind how and where to vote. Visitors tin register to vote, check their voter registration status, and find a polling place. The site also provides information on absentee and early voting.
  • U.S. Ballot Assistance Committee: An contained, bipartisan committee, EAC provides data on election administration. The committee certifies voting systems and maintains the national mail service voter registration form. EAC also provides resources for voters about becoming a poll worker, voting accessibility, and voter registration deadlines.

Student Voting Organizations

Several different organizations dilate the voices of college students and provide information well-nigh voting in college. Some operate every bit nonpartisan organizations, while others promote a political perspective.

The post-obit educatee voting organizations provide data on how to vote as a college pupil and college student voter registration. Many organizations offer resources for student activism, including toolkits, guidebooks, and volunteering opportunities. Students tin can also detect leadership and customs-building opportunities through several organizations.

In addition to these pupil voting organizations, students tin expect for political organizations on their campus, peculiarly for local and state issues.

  • Generation Progress: A national advocacy and educational activity organization, Generation Progress promotes progressive responses to political and social problems. Part of the Centre for American Progress, Generation Progress represents the but youth advancement organization in a progressive retrieve tank. The site includes articles, reports, resource, and action toolkits.
  • Rock the Vote: Founded by music executives in 1990, Stone the Vote has registered 12 million voters. The organisation provides data on registering to vote, how to vote as a higher student, and voting data past state. Rock the Vote also gets immature people involved through volunteering and registering new voters.
  • CampusActivism.org: CampusActivism.org promotes progressive social movements past connecting activists and offering resources. The site includes an open online database of activist information, including resources on issues, campaigns, and events. With an international perspective, CampusActivism.org links activists from around the world.
  • United States Educatee Clan: The oldest national student-led arrangement, the United States Pupil Clan helps electric current and future leaders reach their goals. The association amplifies student voices at all levels of politics by mobilizing grassroots activism. Members can push for victories on issues important to students.
  • Republic Matters: A nonpartisan organization of students, Democracy Matters mentors hereafter leaders and works to remove individual money from politics. The organization offers internships for high schoolhouse and higher students; helps students organize actions around the environment, instruction, and pro-democracy reforms; and trains young people every bit grassroots organizers.
  • Project Mobilize: Project Mobilize brings together leaders pushing for change within the current organisation and those investing in new ideas. The system works to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking nation through its piece of work. New members tin sign a pledge, accept a survey, or host a Millennial meetup. Project Mobilize also provides a mobilizer'south guidebook with resources.
  • Young People For: YP4 provides social justice leadership training for immature people, with an emphasis on those historically excluded from power. The organization encourages immature people to get leaders in politics, education, media, authorities, and business through toolkits, newsletters, and other resources. YP4 also offers blueprints for campus and community leaders, including data near fundraising, event planning, and chore searching.

Portrait of Genevieve Carlton

Genevieve Carlton

Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern Academy and earned tenure every bit a history professor at the Academy of Louisville. An accolade-winning historian and author, Genevieve has published multiple scholarly articles and a volume with the University of Chicago Press. She currently works as a freelance writer and consultant.

See articles past Genevieve

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