College Students and Voting Options

College students have three options when it comes to voting. For those that live close to home they can go home and vote there on the day of the election, if already registered. The other two options are absentee ballots and registering to vote in the town where their college is located.
Many students live out of state while attending college. Absentee Ballots are for those who cannot make it to their hometown to vote on the day of the election and they must have already registered to vote in that state. According to www.declareyourself.com, the process of applying for an absentee ballot usually consists of filling out an application with a current mailing address as well as giving a reason they will not be present to vote at home for the upcoming election. Every state has a different set of guidelines so check local websites to be certain of the guidelines.
“I wanted to vote [by absentee ballot] because it allows me to vote at home,” said Quinnipiac University Junior Kristin Spath. “I wanted my vote make a difference in my home state as opposed to making a difference [where my school is].”
According to www.hamden.com, students who wish to vote where their school is located must fill out a voter registration form and send it to the registrars of voters in the state that the college is located. All states and towns have different guidelines so check local websites for more information. They must also bring their current and valid student ID to the polls when voting.
For more information go to www.declareyourself.com or call your local voter registrar.