Posted by Sarah Johansson
Election Day is approaching, but what does that mean to college students? According to a Harvard Institute of Politics study, in April 2014, only 23 percent of surveyed Americans under age 30 reported they would definitely vote in the midterm election. This is a more than ten percent decrease from November 2013 reports.
College students might not be voting because they do not feel it is important, are too busy, found being away from home an issue, or simply forgot.
Image from: The Center For Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)
There are many organizations that aim to increase youth voter participation—particularly on college campuses. These include The Campus Vote Project and Rock the Vote.
The Campus Vote Project’s website identifies the organization as a “campaign to help college students work with administrators and local election officials to make the process of voting easier.”
The organization lists online six top reasons why college students should vote:
Rock the Vote is a non-profit organization that “works to mobilize the millennial voting bloc and the youth vote, protect voting rights, and advocate for an electoral process and voting system that works for the 21st century electorate,” according to its website.
You can follow the Campus Vote Project on Twitter @CampusVote and Rock the Vote @RockTheVote.
For information regarding voting as a student in the upcoming Massachusetts election on Tuesday November 4, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website here.
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