With the general election coming up on November 5, 2024, college students have multiple options to ensure their voices are heard. Students can vote either in their home district or locally in Sangamon County. While early voting, absentee voting, and in-person voting might seem confusing, a little guidance can make the process straightforward.
The first step is ensuring that you’re registered to vote. Resources like Vote.org offer tools to help students through the registration process and even a page to check your registration status. After confirming registration, it’s essential to contact your local election authority for details on voting procedures. For on-campus students at UIS, the Sangamon County Clerk’s Office serves as the local resource. Students can choose to vote either in Sangamon County or in their home district, but they cannot vote in both.
If a student decides to vote in their home district, they need to coordinate with their local election authority to arrange absentee or mail-in voting. It’s important to understand the difference between these terms. Absentee voting typically involves requesting a mail ballot for a specific reason, such as being deployed overseas during an election. Vote-by-mail, however, allows individuals to mail in their ballot without providing a reason. States may have varying rules regarding absentee and mail-in voting, so it’s crucial to check local regulations.
For those voting by mail in Sangamon County, the deadline to register is before the election. Students must complete an online vote-by-mail application, and ballots can either be mailed to the Sangamon County Clerk’s office or dropped off at designated boxes located at the Sangamon County Complex and the Sangamon County Regional Office of Education in Springfield.
The www.vote.org website also provides a resource to help secure a mail-in ballot. If a student is unable to return the ballot in person, they can authorize someone else to do so using the ballot return affidavit included with the mail-in ballot.
Students registered with their UIS address can also choose to vote in person on Election Day at the Lincoln Land Community College Trutter Center. Those planning to vote by mail in Sangamon County must sign up at least five days before the general election.
According to the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education, just over half of college students vote on Election Day. Barriers such as busy schedules, ID issues, registration difficulties, lack of transportation, or disinterest in the candidates can contribute to lower turnout. However, despite these challenges, being prepared and informed about voting is crucial. With the right information and planning, college students can overcome these obstacles and make sure their voices are heard this November.
