Changes in election laws have given Iowa college students more options than ever on
how they cast their votes. And it's especially important that college students vote.
"Of all the people in society, young adults have the most to lose if democracy falls off
the rails," said Ben Stone, ACLU of Iowa Executive Director. "They are the ones who, as
older adults, will have to deal with all the problems we create now. It's important that
they make their voices heard."
Are You Registered?
Before you vote, you must make sure you're registered to vote. Go online to the Iowa
Secretary of State's office at www.sos.state.ia.us. There's a handy tool you can use to plug
in your zip code and other info to find out if you're registered. In fact, the entire site has
tons of handy college student voter information.
If you're not registered to vote, the deadline in Iowa to register for the November 8
election is October 28. If you cannot meet this deadline, you can also register on the spot
at your polling place on Election Day. To prevent hassles, bring a valid, current driver's
license or a student ID with photo.
As a college student, you have the option of registering to vote in your hometown or in
your college town. Your decision of where to register will determine which candidates
and what issues will appear on your ballot. You can register in only one location. You
can't register to vote in both your hometown and in your college town.
When it comes to actually voting, you have four options:
1. Absentee Voting
If it's hard for you to get to your polling place; you travel a lot; or you're simply a busy
person who doesn't want stand in line or break away from work or classes, an absentee
vote is a convenient option.
First, you must request that an absentee ballot be sent to you. Go to the Secretary of
State web site (www.sos.state.ia.us) and print out an "absentee ballot request form." Or
call 1-888-SOS-VOTE (1-888-767-8683) to ask for the form.
Once you have the request form in hand, fill it out and mail it to the county auditor's
office in the county in which you are registered.
A few days later, you'll receive the actual absentee ballot in the mail. Fill out the actual
ballot and mail it promptly back to your county auditor's office. Absentee ballots
received after November 8 will not be counted.
2. Absentee Voting "In Person"
Another convenient way to vote before the November 8 election is to cast an absentee
ballot "in person." Simply show up at your local county auditor's office during normal
business hours. For the upcoming election, county auditors' offices will also have
special hours Saturday, October 29 and Saturday, November 5.
No need to do any paperwork in advance (other than make sure you're registered). Just
show up!
3. Satellite Voting
In some counties, to make voting easier, county auditors have set up convenient
"satellite" voting stations, usually on college campuses, schools, libraries, or shopping
centers. Hours vary so check in advance.
Keep your eye on local media or contact your county auditor's office to find out when
and where satellite voting is in your community.
4. Traditional Voting
And, of course, you always have the option of traditional voting--going to the
designated voting place for your neighborhood and casting a vote in a voting machine.
Polls are open November 8 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. If you're unsure where to
vote, simply Google "polling places" and use the handy tool to find your precinct's
voting place.
If you experience any unfair difficulties or hassles in casting your ballot, it's important
to report it. Please contact the ACLU of Iowa at legal.program@aclu-ia.org or call 515-992-
0150.
-- end --Changes in election laws have given Iowa college students more options than ever on
how they cast their votes. And it's especially important that college students vote.
"Of all the people in society, young adults have the most to lose if democracy falls off
the rails," said Ben Stone, ACLU of Iowa Executive Director. "They are the ones who, as
older adults, will have to deal with all the problems we create now. It's important that
they make their voices heard."
Are You Registered?
Before you vote, you must make sure you're registered to vote. Go online to the Iowa
Secretary of State's office at www.sos.state.ia.us. There's a handy tool you can use to plug
in your zip code and other info to find out if you're registered. In fact, the entire site has
tons of handy college student voter information.
If you're not registered to vote, the deadline in Iowa to register for the November 8
election is October 28. If you cannot meet this deadline, you can also register on the spot
at your polling place on Election Day. To prevent hassles, bring a valid, current driver's
license or a student ID with photo.
As a college student, you have the option of registering to vote in your hometown or in
your college town. Your decision of where to register will determine which candidates
and what issues will appear on your ballot. You can register in only one location. You
can't register to vote in both your hometown and in your college town.
When it comes to actually voting, you have four options:
1. Absentee Voting
If it's hard for you to get to your polling place; you travel a lot; or you're simply a busy
person who doesn't want stand in line or break away from work or classes, an absentee
vote is a convenient option.
First, you must request that an absentee ballot be sent to you. Go to the Secretary of
State web site (www.sos.state.ia.us) and print out an "absentee ballot request form." Or
call 1-888-SOS-VOTE (1-888-767-8683) to ask for the form.
Once you have the request form in hand, fill it out and mail it to the county auditor's
office in the county in which you are registered.
A few days later, you'll receive the actual absentee ballot in the mail. Fill out the actual
ballot and mail it promptly back to your county auditor's office. Absentee ballots
received after November 8 will not be counted.
2. Absentee Voting "In Person"
Another convenient way to vote before the November 8 election is to cast an absentee
ballot "in person." Simply show up at your local county auditor's office during normal
business hours. For the upcoming election, county auditors' offices will also have
special hours Saturday, October 29 and Saturday, November 5.
No need to do any paperwork in advance (other than make sure you're registered). Just
show up!
3. Satellite Voting
In some counties, to make voting easier, county auditors have set up convenient
"satellite" voting stations, usually on college campuses, schools, libraries, or shopping
centers. Hours vary so check in advance.
Keep your eye on local media or contact your county auditor's office to find out when
and where satellite voting is in your community.
4. Traditional Voting
And, of course, you always have the option of traditional voting--going to the
designated voting place for your neighborhood and casting a vote in a voting machine.
Polls are open November 8 from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. If you're unsure where to
vote, simply Google "polling places" and use the handy tool to find your precinct's
voting place.
If you experience any unfair difficulties or hassles in casting your ballot, it's important
to report it. Please contact the ACLU of Iowa at legal.program@aclu-ia.org or call 515-992-
0150.
-- end --