Shared by the Voter Registration Task Force on behalf of Kaeleigh Banda, student member.
The top 5 reasons to vote:
CIVIC DUTY: Voting is a duty of each citizen of the United States. It is important to remember that we are fortunate to be able to participate in free, democratic elections. Voting is a privilege that not everyone has!
CLOSE ELECTIONS: According to polls, this election is close. Every vote counts.
VOTER TURNOUT RATES: 18 to 24-year-olds have lagged behind other generations in voting rates, Your vote matters! The power that college students have to shift elections should not be ignored!
Follow the provided link to a see a graph that notes Voter turnout rates* among selected age groups in U.S. presidential elections from 1964 to 2020 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.ithaca.edu/statistics/1096299/voter-turnout-presidential-elections-by-age-historical/
DOWN BALLOT CANDIDATES: You are not just voting for the president. There are "down ballot" candidates such as:
U.S. Senator: in NY, Kirsten Gillibrand (D) and Michael Sapraicone (R)
U.S. Congressional representatives: In NY District 19 – where Ithaca is located - Marcus Molinaro (R) and Josh Riley (D)
State Senator: In NY District 52 – where Ithaca is located - Lea Webb (D) and Michael J. Sigler (R)
There are also candidates for District Attorney and Court Judges for local areas
These vary by where you live! Make sure to do local research! Most counties already have sample ballots available online so you can look at who you are voting for. Go to vote.org or your local Board of Elections.
BALLOT PROPOSITIONS: In New York State there is a NYS Constitutional amendment:
On the back of the ballot, vote yes or no for Proposition 1:
“This proposal will protect against unequal treatment based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity and pregnancy. It also protects against unequal treatment based on reproductive healthcare and autonomy"
You can see the ballot for Tompkins County here: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/boe/sampleballots (Please note that the campus is in the town of Ithaca)
Important Dates and Information:
The last day to register to vote in the State of New York. You can register on-line at vote.org or drop off your registration at the Tompkins County Board of Elections at 128 Buffalo Street, if you want to use your campus address.
Early Voting starts on October 26 and ends on November 3. Hours are 9a- 5p with hours extended until 8:00 pm on Tuesday October 29 and Thursday, October 31. Early voting takes place at the Town of Ithaca town Hall (215 Tioga St) or Crash Fire Rescue Building, 672 Brown Road. You must go in person.
You can also vote in person at your polling place (check vote.org to see where that is and hours) on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5.
There will be a van going to the local polling place at Longview for those who registered using their campus address on November 5 from 9am to 9pm. Pick up will be at the Textor Flagpole.
Your vote matters! The power that college students have to shift elections should not be ignored! Please contact me at kbanda@ithaca.edu if you want to talk to a fellow student about voting have any questions. General voting questions can be answered by your local Board of Election or studentaffairs@ithaca.edu can help too.