Elon University students can use TurboVote to register to vote and obtain absentee ballots should they wish to participate in either their home states' primaries or North Carolina's primary set for May 6, 2014.
The following information was shared this week by Smith Jackson, vice president for Student Life and dean of students, and political science faculty members Jason Husser and Matt Weidenfeld:
Throughout the nation, states are moving into their primary election seasons. This is an opportunity to determine major party candidates for U.S. Senate and House races in addition to many local elections. In the spirit of civic engagement, Elon University faculty and administrators are encouraging students to get involved in the democratic process by utilizing resources that make participation convenient and simple.
Elon has partnered with TurboVote, a project of Democracy Works, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve democracy through greater citizen participation in the electoral process. TurboVote makes voting easy through a simultaneous online voter registration and ballot request process that takes minutes to complete. Register to vote by visiting http://elon.turbovote.org
In North Carolina, many students, faculty and staff also have questions about a new voter ID law that will soon affect their ability to vote in the state. While the law does not go into effect until 2016, if students wish to vote in North Carolina this spring during primary elections, the easiest way for them to do so is by requesting an absentee ballot. For more information on changes to North Carolina law, get answers from a list of frequently asked questions.
Absentee ballots do not require an ID to vote, but they require a street address. For students residing on campus, please see this list of campus residence hall and apartment addresses. Registering now also helps students prepare for the general elections this fall.
Important dates to remember if you are interested in voting in the upcoming North Carolina primary elections:
Voter Registration Deadline: April 11, 2014
Last Day to request Absentee Ballot by Mail: April 29, 2014
One-Stop Voting Ends: May 3, 2014 at 1 p.m.
Last Day to Return Absentee Ballot by Mail: May 6, 2014
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY: May 6, 2014, from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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Smith Jackson
Assistant to the President, Associate Professor of Education, and Vice President Emeritus for Student Life and Dean of Students
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Jason Husser
Assistant Provost for Academic Excellence and Integrity, Director of the Elon Poll and Professor of Political Science and Public Policy
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Matthew Weidenfeld
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies