Students Must Be Aware of Voting Guidelines Before Elections

Registration deadlines for the 2020 presidential election are quickly approaching. Though many people want to vote on Nov. 3, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Every state has different guidelines and deadlines. As November draws near, there are easy ways to make sure you are registered to vote or get registered if you currently are not.

If you are registered to vote but have changed addresses or will not be able to vote at home and would like to vote on campus, you need to change your registration address. Students can register to vote online at https://www.liberty.edu/votenow.

If you will be voting at Liberty, the registration deadline is Oct. 6. Students must show their flames pass, Student ID, or passport when voting. If you are an off-campus student, you may use an absentee ballot if you are registered to vote at Liberty but are unable to be on campus on election day. Questions can be sent to Associate Director and Team Lead, Blake Levin at blevin@liberty.edu.

Deadlines for registering to vote vary from state to state. Most deadlines take place in October with the exception of a few states. A comprehensive list of registration deadlines from state to state can be found at https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/.

When you arrive at your polling location on voting day, you will need to bring a picture ID, and in some states, you will also need to show your voter ID. You will be handed a ballot and guided to a shielded table for privacy when filling out your choices. You will then take the ballot to a scanning machine, where your vote will
be recorded.

If you cannot make it to the polling location, however, you have the option to vote absentee. When requesting to vote absentee, you must go through your local election office and can then request a ballot or pick one up. You will fill out the ballot as you would in person then mail it back in or return it to the office where you picked up the form.

Just as each state has different rules and regulations for voting in person, the same applies for absentee voting. Part of the application will include stating the reason why you will be voting absentee.  A comprehensive list of absentee deadlines and rules, as well as an absentee ballot for your state, can be found at https://www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules/.

Due to COVID-19, there are delays in mailing.  If you will be mailing in your absentee ballot, make sure to do so as soon as possible to avoid missing your state’s deadlines.

Brittany Slaughter is the Assistant News Editor.