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Last Updated: Oct 22nd, 2008 - 01:46:17 |
With less than two weeks left before Election Day, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission put out a call to action Oct. 20, urging college students to check and re-check their voter registration information.
“As many of you know, a large number of youth are predicted to head to the polls, many for the first time,” Donetta Davidson, vice-chair of the commission, said in a conference call with college journalists from across the country.
The commission was formed in 2002 as part of the Help American Vote Act and is an independent, bipartisan committee charged with helping guide voters in addition to acting as act as a clearinghouse for information about election administration.
Davidson, who was the secretary of state of Colorado from 1997 to 2000, hopes to help prepare young voters for their first experience, as well as encourage them to become involved in the polling process.
Davidson urged students to check the status of their registration.
“If you are registered in the state (where) you’re going to school, make sure your registration has gotten in and make sure it has been entered,” she said.
If a voter goes to the polls on Nov. 4 and finds they are not on the list, Davidson urged them to fill out a provisional ballot, saying that many states are still processing registrations and will continue to.
For those who are registered in their home state, not the state where they attend school, Davidson said students who have not received their absentee ballot yet should check on its status as soon possible.
“In many cases, it (the absentee ballot) has to be received the day of or the day before the election,” Davidson said.
Davidson also addressed the issue that has played a role in past low voter turnout among youth: the idea that their vote doesn’t matter.
“Stop and think about how close it was in Florida, about how many times it was called and then the press had to change their minds. One vote does count. Not only in a presidential election, but you’ve got other races, clear down to a county office,” she said.
Amendments or referendums on a ballot can directly affect students, especially the funding their college receives, Davidson said.
Davidson, who still votes in Colorado, pointed out the long ballot here, including the several initiatives that would directly affect college funding to underscore this point.
Another topic of importance for Davidson was campaigning at the polls, which can include wearing a T-shirt or button with the logo of a candidate on it.
“My advice to everybody is do not wear any items that could be considered that you are trying to persuade people how to vote,” she said. Davidson said that in many states, voters wearing candidate apparel will simply be turned away and not allowed to vote.
There is still time for people to get involved in the election by volunteering as poll workers, Davidson said.
“We need students. You know technology, and you’re fast learners. We need about 2 million poll workers throughout the country,” she said.
Poll workers help in a variety of ways, from providing assistance to voters at polling stations to helping process ballots.
“We need the youth of the country to be there with us to make sure it succeeds,” Davidson said.
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