In order to increase voter turnout rates among college students, Syracuse University and campus political organizations should better publicize how students can register to vote. The New York State Board of Elections should also make the process of registering to vote more accessible to students.

As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, only four students had shown up to E.S. Bird Library to vote for the primary elections. Out of the 700 democrats at SU registered to vote, the voter turnout rate was extremely low, at less than 1 percent.

Overall, the turnout rates for primary elections tend to be lower than general elections. A report from the Center for the Study of the American Electorate revealed that only 1.4 percent of eligible Republicans in New York state voted in the 2012 Republican primary. Some of these lost votes were from college students.

In order to improve the voter turnout rate and encourage students to become knowledgeable about politics, the university and campus organizations should better promote where, when and how to vote.

For example, SU News should include in its emails where voting will take place. Publicizing that voting is happening in such a central location on campus could encourage students to vote because of its convenience. For the upcoming election in November, SU News should start including the information in its emails well in advance of the election.

Student organizations, such as College Democrats and College Republicans, should also reach out to their classmates to inform them about primary location and dates.

Another aspect of voting that deters students is the confusion of voting eligibility. According to elections.ny.gov, students only have to live at their present address at least 30 days before an election. The university should consider adding in its orientation packet for incoming freshmen and transfer students that out-of-state students have the opportunity to vote, and explain the registration process.

There is currently no online registration process. In order to encourage more students to vote, the New York State Board of Elections should also consider adding an online application.
Students should make an effort to vote even if it’s inconvenient. However, more students might show up to vote if the information they need to do so is better publicized.

Published on September 10, 2014 at 12:25 am

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