Election Day is right around the corner, and it is important that you stay informed and educated on this year’s presidential candidates, as well as local and state candidates, and how to vote. Due to COVID-19 and potentially being an out-of-state college student, it is vital that we understand how we can do our part to partake in the election coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Office of Government and Community Relations on campus has a ton of helpful information and answers. Be sure to check out their voting page for details on upcoming elections, deadlines, absentee voting and more. Here are a few tips we wanted to highlight to make sure your vote counts this election!
- Check your voter registration! Make sure you are registered to vote by visiting a website like Vote.org or Rock the Vote or your state’s voter information portal.
- Register to vote! In order to vote in this upcoming election, make sure you register to vote by your state’s specific deadline. For more information, check a website like Vote.org or Rock the Vote.
- Find your polling place. If you are home and have the opportunity to vote in-person or if you are a New York State resident, find your nearest polling place.
- Request a mail-in or absentee ballot. This is a safe and secure way to vote that has been utilized for many years. Mail-in voting is a great option for college students who are out-of-state and cannot go home to vote in person. It is also a great option if you are unsure about attending public places due to COVID-19. Learn more about requesting a mail-in ballot!
- Consider early voting. If you happen to be home before election day, your state may offer early voting which you can do in-person. Early voting in New York runs from Saturday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 1. Find an early voting location!
- Educate yourself. In other words, research the candidates and do your part to stay informed and aware of their campaigns and plans of action. This includes local and state candidates!
- Avoid misinformation. Misinformation can spread easily, especially on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok and Instagram. Be sure to protect yourself and your peers by double checking sources and using reliable sources to fact check.
I hope you found these tips helpful! Again, be sure to educate yourself on the candidates you’ll see on your ballot and their platforms on key issues. Educate and have open-discussions with friends and family members about the upcoming election, too. Let your voice be heard!
Remember to vote!
Written by Haley Mykytka ’22, College of Visual and Performing Arts