Originally published on 8.31.22

Midterm elections may seem unimportant because they don’t quite choose the face of the country, however, they allow us to alter the course of the current president if we’re unhappy. Unfortunatley, college students typically waste this opportunity.

In 2018, the Census Bureau reported that approximately 24 million 18-to-24-year-olds were eligible to vote, but fewer than four million actually voted. While I won’t discount this was likely because students were on campus for their regular Tuesday classes, which kept them from traveling to their assigned voting location, now is the time to start planning for Election Day on Nov. 8.

Last Thursday marked 75 days until the midterm election. This means registered voters can now apply online for an absentee ballot. This is excellent news for college students. In lieu of having to drive back to your home precinct, your local clerk will mail your ballot anywhere in the country so that you have the opportunity to vote.

You’ll get your ballot, instructions and secrecy sleeved mailed to you as early as 45 days before the election so that you may vote in the comfort of your dorm on your own time. Then, you simply pack up your ballot and mail it back home. Your clerk will check it in and ensure it’s counted on election day.