How to check registration status before midterms
College students’ voter turnout increased in past three elections
ABIGAIL CAVIZO / NEWS EDITOR / THE USD VISTA
People from all over the U.S. come out to vote. For the recent general elections, in both the midterm and the presidential elections, college students’ percentage of voter turnout increased.
According to the Washington Post, the 2020 election had an “increase of 14 percentage points over the 2016 presidential election” and “in the 2018 midterms, college students’ voter turnout doubled from 19 percent in 2014 to 40 percent.”
If the trend continues to increase, college students will turn up for this upcoming election.
The 2022 Midterm Elections are coming up on Nov. 8, but registering to vote closes on Oct. 24 in CA. Before showing up to cast a ballot, confirming one’s voter registration status is essential.
USD sophomore Sara Zouiten is registered as a voter in Colorado, but she would consider voting in California if she knew the different impacts the states could have on policy changes.
“I need to register and see how to do that [in California] because I’m from Colorado, but it’s definitely important to know all the rules and regulations,” Zouiten said. “Voting is important and a lot of people don’t have that right, so we should express that.”
In California, https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/ is a link that will help individuals check their voter registration status. By ensuring the address linked to the name is correct, a ballot will be mailed to that residency. The website also helps people if they need their address to be updated. Using USD as a current residency also works for those who want their ballot to come to them on campus.
If someone from out of state wants to vote in California, they can register for it even if they are not a California resident. College students have the unique opportunity to vote in either the state they attend school in or their home state. Since not all college students live where they want to vote, absentee ballots (the ballots received by mail) are an option many can utilize.
Different states have different voter registration requirements and laws, but it is essential to note that voting in two different locations is voter fraud. Every registered voter has only one vote, but being registered in more than one state to vote is not a crime. Since the state government oversees elections, the federal government does not know if someone is on multiple registration lists.
If students choose to vote in their home state, absentee ballots can be mailed to their San Diego address. The rules surrounding these types of ballots vary, but by checking the state government’s website, people can ensure they know the various rules.
USD junior Shiara Mateo is pursuing a double major in political science and sociology. She asserts that people should be educated about voting, according to policies within that state.
“I think that voting is essential and registering is important, but college students who are from out of state should see where they can make the biggest difference in what they believe in,” Mateo said. “It’s super important to know, especially in the swing states where these things matter and policies can change.”
San Diego County reached out to USD because they needed somewhere for ballots to be dropped off for voters in the area. This year, USD students have the opportunity to vote on campus. Other locations that are available for in-person voting can be found on San Diego’s Registrar of Voters’ location page, according to proximity. By learning the rules of the states’ registration laws, students can be prepared to vote for the midterm elections on Nov. 8.