Don’t Let Your First Election Pass Without Voting

After+deciding+whether+to+vote+in+New+York+or+your+home+state%2C+it+is+also+important+to+cast+your+ballot+on+election+day.+Voting+can+be+as+simple+as+mailing+in+an+absentee+ballot

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After deciding whether to vote in New York or your home state, it is also important to cast your ballot on election day. Voting can be as simple as mailing in an absentee ballot

Maria Puertas, Contributing Writer

Millennials are historically absent in the United States elections, so in attempt to remedy this, NYU has provided a plethora of resources to help its students cast their ballots.

The next election is on Nov. 8, so citizens only have two more months to cast their votes. In most states, voters must register themselves at least 30 days prior to an election. So with barely a month left to procrastinate, here are five easy steps on how to register to vote at NYU.

Deciding where to vote

As long as you are a U.S. citizen, you can register to vote as a resident in one of two places: your hometown or in New York City. If you have already registered and voted at an in-person election in your hometown, your best bet is to use an absentee ballot, in which your ballot will be sent in advance to your county election office.

Registering for an absentee ballot

Deadlines and rules vary from state to state and can get confusing, but vote.org simplifies the process. This website will ask you to fill out some information. Then, it will prepare the absentee ballot request for you and even tell you the address to which the request should be sent.

Casting an absentee ballot

Once registered, a ballot will be sent to your NYC address along with a pre-addressed return envelope. Simply fill out the ballot as you would in person and send it off by Nov. 7. This option saves you time by skipping the lines.

Registering for NYC

Figuring out deadlines and requirements in a new state can be daunting, but David Vogelsang, director of the Student Resource Center, is here to help students with all their election issues.

“If you are not already registered to vote in your hometown and would like to register in NYC, room 210 of the Kimmel Center has NYC ballots available for students to fill out,” Vogelsang said. “Just complete your form, drop it in the box, and from there, we will deliver those forms in person.”

Vogelsang said that over 200 first-year students utilized the Student Resource Center to register during last year’s Welcome Week. The Student Resource Center is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Fridays until 5 p.m., but all prospective NYC voters must register before Wednesday, Oct. 12 in order for their votes to count.

Casting an NYC ballot

On election day, polling locations will open at 6 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Locations vary depending on the NYC address used to register; students may use their residence hall addresses to register. Here are some polling locations near campus:

  • Journey Church on the corner of 11th St. and 6th Avenue
  • The Civil Court across from Lafayette Hall
  • NYU’s Palladium Hall

There are plenty of polling locations near and on campus and many resources to help you find the closest location. All you have to do is show up with a form of photo ID to cast a ballot.

Email Maria Puertas at [email protected].