The 2024 election cycle has been seemingly unending, with major twists and turns along the way. From a last-minute change of candidates to an assassination attempt, this year has been filled with large and consequential events.
However, now that it is time to vote, many students have limited options or limited interest. For most of the student body, this is their first presidential election in which they are eligible to vote. The last election was in 2020, when only select current seniors would have been over 18. Some students are excited to vote in their first presidential election, whereas for others, voting day will just be another Tuesday. Are students uninterested, uninformed or unable?
One of the potential barriers to voting is the fact that not all students are from Iowa. Students from other states are faced with several options: register to vote in Iowa, travel home to vote, vote by mail or not participate at all. For many students immersed in midterms and extracurricular activities, voting can be just one more thing to do, and if no one is giving them a grade for it, then it does not make it to the top of the list. This is not atypical of Gen Z, which is a struggle that is recognized by many corporations and leaders.
There has been a huge effort by social media platforms and influencers to register young voters, such as Snapchat and other media displaying ads and banners at users of the app. Northwestern faculty are also making it easier for students to exercise their civic responsibilities by emailing out information on how to register to vote in Sioux County and the polling location. According to the Iowa Data Center, less than half of registered voters ages 18-24 actually end up voting in the election and their demographic makes up the smallest percentage of voters. Even though registration is climbing, it seems there is still work to do in getting Gen Z to the polls.
However, not all students follow this trend. Some NW students have been following along with the campaign season and are eager to make their voices heard. Elliana Zerr, a senior from Wisconsin opted to vote by mail. “Voting through the mail was super easy, and I really liked being able to do research on the candidates while I was voting,” Zerr said, “This is my second time voting ever, but my first time voting for the presidential election. This year, it was really important to me that I did what I could to create a future that I want to see.”
Even students who are from Iowa but do not want to make the drive home are using mail-in ballots as well. Senior Victoria Pavik, a native Iowan, echoes the ease of absentee voting. “I’m excited because this will be the first election I’m able to vote in,” Pavik said. “I’m voting with an absentee ballot because I will not be home for the election, and so far, the process has been really easy.”
Every state has certain requirements and deadlines for voting by mail, which can be found on the respective state municipal website. If a student is planning on voting by mail, they should find their state’s form online, and make sure they have several stamps to mail their ballot back to the county administrator.
In addition to the presidential race, there are also many amendments and state laws up for a vote. Students can find more information on these policies and their effects online.
For those who want to vote but are unsure where to start, Julie Elliott sent out helpful information a few weeks ago about pre-registration. The deadline to pre-register was Oct. 21, but students who did not complete the forms in time can still go to the voting location, but they will have to wait in a longer line. Students from out of state that want to vote in their home state can find absentee ballot forms on their state or county website.
Engaging a new generation of voters can bring political change.
