Voting in College: An Elon Student’s Guide to Voting This Election

We are so close! The 2020 general election is just days away and people are already casting their ballots for the next president. And, while this year has been nothing short of political turmoil, it’s especially important to stay informed as a first-time voter.

It’s easy, and quite frankly understandable, to feel overwhelmed by the state of our election and the pressures of voting in your first election. Luckily, many young Americans (and college students, specifically) feel extremely motivated to get to the polls this November. There have been numerous campaigns to advocate for young voters across the nation, but one student organization is making a strong effort right here on Elon’s campus.

Elon Votes!, established in 2014, aims to boost engagement and provide the proper resources for Elon students as a welcoming and nonpartisan presence on campus. They provide all the necessities for anyone looking for election information and have been incredibly active this election season.

Heidi Weston ’23, has a lot of confidence in the organization and is proud to be a volunteer for such a crucial asset for students our age.

“I think that Elon Votes provides a necessary service to the Elon community, by making the voting process, which in some places is designed to be as difficult, more approachable,” Weston says. “I think as a result, more students are at least registered to vote and hopefully all registered voters will vote on or before Election Day.”

Unfortunately, while organizations like Elon Votes! Are trying to make this process easier for first-time voters, campaign controversies and the Covid-19 crisis have made the upcoming election seem incredibly daunting for nearly everyone. And while every state is different, I encourage Elon students to do the important research to understand what they are voting for and how to do it in the next few weeks. Please, make sure to check the important dates and deadlines in your state before casting your vote.

If you need help finding any more information Democracy Works provides information, nation-wide, specifically for first-time voters this election.

Above all else, please go out and vote! Every ballot matters, as as college students, and first-time voters it’s especially important that we use our right to cast our choice at the polls this November.