Though Election Day is on the horizon, many voters remain uninformed as to whether or not they are registered to vote.

About 52 percent of the youngest individuals who were first eligible to vote in 2008 said they were not registered or they do not remember, according to a survey conducted by HeadCount, a nonpartisan voter registration group.

“Voting registration is complicated because it involves different rules per state,” Shana Gadarian, assistant professor of political science, said in an email. “Because young people tend to be more mobile than older people, they may not know where or how to vote in the new places that they are moving to.”

Though many students are still disinterested in inquiring about their registration status, efforts have been put into place to make the process of registering more user-friendly.

“Both candidates have sections on their websites dedicated to young Americans,” Gadarian said. “Voter registration drives on campuses and in major cities are some of the ways that young people can find out how to register.”

College students have the choice between registering in the state where they attend school or applying for an absentee ballot in their home state. To some, the process can be both extensive and inconvenient.

“Initially, I didn’t want to register to vote because I had trouble finding time in my schedule,” said Sara Stedner, who graduated from Syracuse University in 2010. “On top of that, my local Board of Elections office was too far away.”

For other students, the negative political climate has made them less motivated to register or find out if they are registered.

Younger voters may be discouraged from getting involved because of the “ideological warfare” and mudslinging on both sides of the political spectrum, said Anna Koulouris, who graduated from SU in 2010.

“Political polarization has created a shift of interest for voters everywhere, in that there now seems to be a gap between old and young,” Koulouris said.

Grant Reeher, a political science professor, said in an email that certain issues may not resonate as deeply with young voters.

“If you’re 22 and not rooted in a place as an adult, don’t own a house, and don’t have children in school, then many of the state and local issues aren’t as immediate in your life,” Reeher said.

Recently, stricter voting procedures have been put into place in states across the nation. Notably, Pennsylvania issued a statewide requirement for voters to present a valid state ID upon arrival at the polls, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Sept. 21.

Many candidates have embraced the digital age by creating more accessible mediums for individuals to register, such as online registration applications. To reach younger voters, Stedner said, candidates must make use of online platforms.

Alec Bilicki, a freshman film major, said: “It’s important to remain involved, despite the unattractiveness of the voting process. These issues are our generation’s issues. Every vote counts.”

Rock the Vote 

For the upcoming elections in November, SU students have the option of registering to vote in New York state.

Students can register in person at the Onondaga County Board of Elections, located at 1000 W. Erie Blvd.

A New York state voter application can be downloaded at elections.ny.gov. The form must be completed, signed and mailed to the Onondaga County Board of Elections.

Students may also register to vote in New York online. Through dmv.ny.gov, the Electronic Voter Registration Application consists of a series of voter registration questions regarding age, citizenship, prior voting history and political party selection.

The application will be transferred to the local county board of elections for review.

Students can also register through other New York state agencies. The qualified agencies can be viewed on elections.ny.gov.

A voter application can also be obtained by calling 1-800-FOR-VOTE, the Board of Elections voter registration hotline.

The registration form can also be used to change one’s party enrollment and address. The change in enrollment must occur 25 days before the general election. The change of address must be received the local board of elections at least 20 days before a special, primary or general election

Voter registration status can be checked at voterlookup.elections.state.ny.us.

Students must register to vote before Oct. 12 to vote in the General Election, according to the New York State Board of Elections.

 

Published on September 24, 2012 at 3:01 am

Contact Annie: apalme05@syr.edu