Lack of Polling Places on College Campuses Concerns Voters
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — On Monday, several public policy organizations teamed up to write to the New York State Board of Elections (BOE) about an apparent lack of polling places on college campuses. They noted many schools that have nowhere to vote within a mile despite large, dense resident student populations.
A Barrier to Voting
"In swing House districts across New York, young people could make all the difference," said Jack Lobel, the press secretary at Voters of Tomorrow, which works to mobilize young voters. "Research shows that young people face outsized obstacles to the ballot box. It’s critical that election officials do everything in their power to alleviate those burdens, including by ensuring polling places are located near and accessible from college campuses."
20 Schools Identified
You can take a look at the letter from the Youth Vote Coalition at the bottom of this story. It highlights 20 four-year schools with on-campus housing and over 1,000 full-time students that need polling places:
| Campus | City | Miles to nearest polling place |
|---|---|---|
| College of Staten Island | Staten Island | 1.4 |
State Law Mandates Polling Places
Pointing out that state law mandates such polling places, the coalition wants the BOE to fix the problem or at least justify why they’ll be missing for the general election. "We would like to understand how the law requiring a polling place on or contiguous to college campuses with 300 or more registered voters is being applied in these cases," the letter reads.
BOE Response
But, "many students do not register at their dorm or other college campus address, and instead opt to remain registered at home," a spokesperson from the BOE explained. "This results in fewer students registered to vote at college addresses, meaning many campuses don’t meet the 300-voter threshold."
Challenge in Registering Voters
BOE also said that County Boards of Elections have to designate polling places by March 15, based on February’s voter rolls. These figures reveal where voters live, which determines election districts and where to put poll sites.
Conclusion
The lack of polling places on college campuses is a significant barrier to voting for students who can’t travel far from the dorm and follow tight schedules. The Youth Vote Coalition is calling on the BOE to ensure that polling places are conveniently located on or near college campuses, empowering students to actively engage in the democratic process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is it important to have polling places on college campuses?
A: Having polling places on college campuses is important because it allows students to easily cast their votes, which can be a significant barrier to voting for students who have busy schedules and may not have access to transportation.
Q: How many colleges have polling places on or near campus?
A: According to the Youth Vote Coalition, 50 colleges have polling sites, while 40 have polling sites within a half-mile, and 26 have polling sites over a mile away.
Q: What can students do if their college does not have a polling place on or near campus?
A: Students can register to vote at a nearby polling place or use early voting options, absentee ballots, or Election Day voting.
Q: How can students get involved in the democratic process?
A: Students can get involved in the democratic process by registering to vote, volunteering for political campaigns, participating in voter registration drives, and staying informed about issues that affect their community.
