Registering to vote can seem confusing, frustrating or too hard to figure out alone; however, there are steps and sources that can make everything easier.
Vote.utah.gov is the government website for Utah residents to help apply their 12th amendment right to vote in the 2016 election. If students have not registered to vote, there is still time.
“Voting is important; if you want to see a difference then you have to be a part of the difference,” said Kendra Jensen, a senior English major from Richmond and vice president of academics for Dixie State University Student Association.
DSUSA put out a slogan called “Don’t vote. Don’t Complain” for students, hoping to increase votes and let students’ voice be heard.
How to register
Election supervisor Melanie Abplanalp said students have the opportunity to choose where they would like to register to vote. They can choose to register in their hometown or in St. George she said.
Students can register at the Washington County Administration Building by filling out a paper form or can go online at vote.utah.gov. Jensen said students can come to the DSUSA office, and DSUSA members will help students register.
Ben Bundy, a junior elementary education major form St. George, said he recently renewed his driver’s license. During the process, the department of motor vehicles asked him if he would like to vote. He had no trouble searching or signing up to vote, and his ballot was later sent to him in the mail, Bundy said.
Bundy said if he was not asked if he wanted to register to vote while getting his license renewed.
“I wouldn’t have known exactly where to go or start,” Bundy said. “I’m sure I could have found something on the internet however.”
Students must register before Nov. 1 at 5 p.m., or they will not be able to vote in the 2016 elections.
Voting for 2016
As far as actual voting goes, there are opportunities for students to attend an early bird voting Nov. 1-3. Jensen said early voting will take place in the Kenneth N. Gardner Student Center in Conference Room D from noon to 4 p.m.
Students who cannot participate in the campus voting on Nov. 1-3 can go to vote.utah.gov for their assigned voting precincts, which will provide the areas, times, dates and districts for voting. Ballots will be available at the voting precinct.
Voting will happen on Nov. 8, the last day of the election.
Required I.D.
Jensen said voters must bring a valid picture I.D. with their name on it or two other forms of I.D. that proves where they live.
A specific list is available on vote.utah.gov under 2016 Voter Information Pamphlet. The list includes options for photo or no photo identification.
On the Ballot
The ballot will be different depending on which region in which students live. Ballots can be sent through the mail but must be sent back no later than Nov. 7. Voters who visit a voting precinct in person are to present I.D., follow instructions on the ballot, double check their selection and send in the 2016 vote.
The categories on the ballots are U.S President and Vice President, Utah Senator, Utah’s congressional district, and other state and local candidates. Amendment changes will also be found on the ballots as well as Proposition 1, which would increase taxes in southern Utah which can be found on washco.utah.gov searching Proposition 1.
If there is still confusion on voting as a college student, contact Abplanalp at the Washington County Administration Building by emailing or calling 435-652-5891. Students can also visit vote.utah.gov for information on the candidates and policies on the ballot. Information regarding these points are found in the Voter Information Pamphlet on vote.utah.gov.