Ensuring Smooth Voting Experiences for College Students in the 2024 Presidential Election
This is crossposted from CivicNation’s BrandVoice page on Forbes.
More than 8 million young Americans will reach voting age ahead of the 2024 presidential election. For many, this first-time voting experience will occur in a college setting. Election officials and campus leaders have crucial roles to play in ensuring a smooth voting process for these young voters.
Preparing a college campus for an election involves unique challenges compared to the general public. Many students come from different states, and the registration rules and deadlines they must follow may differ from their home states. Often, college students delay addressing these registration differences until the last minute. As a result, they are disproportionately more likely to register on Election Day in states where it is allowed.
Additionally, voting patterns among college students differ from other adults. Unlike many working adults who vote before or after work, college polling places may see a surge in voters between classes. Students also tend to vote in groups, making it a social activity, which can contribute to longer lines.
These unique patterns can lead to long wait times for young voters. So, what steps can campus administrators and election officials take to mitigate these issues?
The new guide Voting on Campus: Student-Centered Solutions to Build Election Resiliency, created with the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, offers recommendations for collaboration between campus leaders and election officials. Election officials bring expertise in administration and law, while campus stakeholders have a deep understanding of their community and effective engagement strategies. Together, they can create a more seamless voting experience for students.
Establishing Clear Communication Channels
Election officials can start by setting up clear communication points within the campus community. Similarly, campus administrations and student organizations focused on nonpartisan civic engagement should establish direct connections with local election officials.
Strengthening these relationships and fostering clear, frequent communication ensures that relevant information reaches the right people at the right time. Collaboration before campus events like voter registration drives ensures the campus community receives accurate information tailored to their jurisdiction. This helps students understand their options, such as whether mail-in voting is available. Coordinating messages about voting with election officials combats misinformation and ensures accuracy.
Anticipating and Addressing Challenges
Campus leaders can aid election officials by identifying and troubleshooting potential issues that could lead to long lines. For instance, if a high turnout is expected at a campus polling place, campus leaders can suggest alternative locations better suited for large crowds.
Campus administrators can also provide election officials with typical class schedules to predict when voter influxes might occur. This information allows election officials to better plan staffing and resources at campus polling locations throughout the day.
Sharing this information is vital for maintaining smooth and safe voting operations on campus. Election officials face significant challenges, including limited resources and increased scrutiny due to misinformation about the election process. By recognizing these challenges and collaborating with election officials, campus leaders can help create an accessible voting environment for students.
Election officials play a critical role in administering free and fair elections, and campus communities are essential partners in this effort, enhancing access to the ballot box for millions of young voters.
