St. Thomas students will have a chance to participate in the 2018 midterm election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

The offices up for election in Minnesota this year include governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, both senators and each congressional district. The U.S. Census reported that in the 2016 election only 46.1 percent of people ages 18-29 voted.

St. Thomas students can vote in their hometown by absentee ballot, travel home for Election Day or register on campus to vote in St. Paul.

“It is a problem any time that any group is participating less than others in elections,” political science professor Tim Lynch said. “Everybody will be affected by the policies made and not everybody’s voices will be prominent.”

Registering to vote

The early registration deadline has already passed for most states. If you are unsure if you are registered, registration status can be checked at Vote.org.

It is possible to register to vote the day of the election in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. A proof of residence is required to register. Valid forms of IDs include:
– Driver’s license or permit
– ID card
– Student ID if a St. Thomas/St. Kate’s student is voting in St. Paul

“Once somebody votes once, they tend to develop a habit of voting,” Lynch said. “ These habits haven’t been formed within that group yet.”

Know the candidates

Several government websites provide information on the candidates that are participating in the upcoming primary, including Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Other states provide services similar to these. Enter a zip code or address depending on the website and it will provide the names of the candidates who will be on the ballot in your area.

Most candidates have their platform information available on campaign websites.

Voting early

It is possible to vote early in every state. If you are a student living far away from home or would be unable to access your local polling place, this option may be for you.

Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and other states make absentee ballot requests available online.
After requesting your ballot by mail or online, the ballot will be mailed to you to fill out and send in.

Once your ballot is filled out with a witness, mail it back to the sender. However, your ballot will not count if it is received after Election Day, making it imperative that your ballot is sent in as quickly as possible.

Voting can also be done in person on specific dates in a majority of states, according to usa.gov. The instructions can be found on their website.

Voting the day of

If you are already registered to vote, you are allowed to bring in a piece of paper with information on who you are interested in voting for.

Vote.org reports that many states, with the exception of several including Minnesota, request that you show your valid ID at the time of voting.

Emily Haugen can be reached at haug7231@stthomas.edu.