Have you registered?

The Student Government Association and the American Democracy Project surpassed its goal this week in the number of students that participated in voter registrations and address changes. 

The goal of 100 to 200 students was quickly overshadowed by the estimated number of over 500 students who visited one of the voter registration booths on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

“The volunteers and the students that were interested in voting exceeded our expectations,” Carly Schmitt, instructor of political science and coordinator of the American Democracy Project, said. “Our goal was to get students involved in the political process by reducing that burden of having to register.”

Specific forms of ID are not listed in statute. ID must be issued by the state of Indiana or the U.S. government and must show the following:

    Name of individual to whom it was issued, which must conform to the individual’s registration record

    Photo of the person to whom it was issued

    Expiration date (if it is expired, it must have an expiration date after the most recent general election; military IDs are exempted from the requirement that ID bear an expiration date)

    Must be issued by the United States or the state of Indiana.

Voter registration booths were set up around campus at the Cunningham Memorial Library, the Student Recreation Center, and the Hulman Memorial Student Union in the morning towards the afternoon.

“Most of our numbers come from the library, and that has been in part because the staff there has helped motivate our student registrars,” Schmitt said. “The energy of the staff was so high that it made more students want to register.”

Reasons for registering to vote or change an address for greater voting accessibility varied among students. Understanding the importance of voting, however, was a great influence.

“I was unregistered to vote,” Kendale Abel, a criminology and sociology major said. “I want more people to vote not only for president, but for other branches too. I care about the youth and everyone getting fair education.”

Volunteers for the registration drive helped promote civic responsibility by engaging students in understanding the importance of voting.

“Seeing students get more involved has gotten students more civically engaged,” Watkins said. “Students are starting to understand that we do have a voice, and if we have big numbers, we can really impact what happens this year.”

Registering to vote is the first step in participating in the upcoming elections. Knowing the specific voting laws for though, however, is a necessary action before attempting to vote. 

Individuals will receive a voter registration card in the mail approximately a week later. The voter registration card will have the individual’s full name and the polling place, the location where the student must vote.

Indiana law requires voters to bring a photo ID, as well as a voter registration card. The ID must display the individual’s photo, his name, an expiration date, and be issued by the state of Indiana or the US government. 

“I’m proud of the ISU campus for showing up to the registration drive,” Watkins said. “It shows they understand how big of a civic responsibility it is and realize that it’s an important part of a democracy.”

Voter ID Laws in Indiana

Specific forms of ID are not listed in statute.  ID must be issued by the state of Indiana or the United States government and must show the following:

•  Name of individual to whom it was issued, which must conform to the individual’s registration record

•  Photo of the person to whom it was issued

•  Expiration date (if it is expired, it must have an expiration date after the most recent general election; military IDs are exempted from the requirement that ID bears an expirartion date)

•  Must be issued by the U.S. or the state of Indiana