Voting season is almost here again with the general election for the next president of the United States being a little over a month away on Nov. 5. For many college students, this is the first presidential election they can vote in, which can come with uncertainty for some about the voting process. In addition, Washington State uses mail-in voting, which for many out-of-state students can be completely foreign. According to the Washington Secretary of State Elections Division, 18-24 year olds make up only 9.16% of all active voters in Washington State.
“Millions of Americans have fought — and untold numbers have died — to protect our democracy and our right to vote. If you are eligible to vote and don’t cast your ballot, I view that as a sign of disrespect to those Americans,” political science Professor Bernadette Jungblut said.
In Washington State there are several ways to register to vote, those being online, by mail or in person. To register to vote online people can go to https://olvr.votewa.gov, where there will be the option to register to vote or update voter registration. Online registration allows people to add a seasonal address as well as a permanent address, meaning students can have their voter ballots mailed to dorms or apartments away from their permanent addresses. Registering online only requires personal information such as name and address, as well as a driver’s license or ID number. The deadline for online registration to vote in the 2024 presidential election is Oct. 28.
Registering to vote by mail can be done at https://www.sos.wa.gov which will provide a printable voter registration form that can be mailed to a local election office. The address for Kittitas County’s election office is 205 W. 5th Ave, Suite 105, Ellensburg, WA 98926. The deadline for mail-in registration is also Oct. 28.
“If you don’t vote because you don’t like the options on your ballot, then it’s your responsibility to step up in future elections and offer better choices,” Jungblut said. “If you don’t want to vote because you think your vote does not matter, there are numerous elections in American history that have been won and lost by just a few votes.”
Registering to vote can also be done in person at an election office. The election office in Ellensburg is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The employees at the election office can provide further information and steps when filling out registration forms. The deadline to register in person is Nov. 5, the day of the Election.
In Washington State, voter ballots are mailed to registered voters. When it comes time to vote Washington voters drop their filled-out ballots in a ballot box before or on the day of the election. There is a ballot box located in front of the SURC, as well as at the courthouse.
“As a faculty member, it’s not my place to tell you who or what to vote for,” Jungblut said. “That’s your business. But I do feel compelled to tell you to make your voice heard.”