Election day is less than a month away and SRU students have varying opinions on whether they will vote or not.
Many students are unaware that they have the constitutional right to register and vote through their campus residence, even if they don’t reside there permanently. This was decided in the court case Symm v United States.
Efforts to conceal this information, among several other things, are referred to as student voter suppression. The Rocket spoke with Sasha Jantsch, the campus coordinator for an organization called Vote for Equality (V4E) that exists to educate students on this issue.
“The demographic that votes the least is ages 18 to 29, many college students are in that age range,” Jantsch said. “If you vote in person and you also are a full time student, it can be really hard to get down to the polls, to wait in line…”
Some students feel the process is too complicated. An SRU student said he would be voting if not for football and the time it takes to register.
Transportation can be another factor that affects students’ decision to vote. SRU is working to combat this.
“For those voting in Slippery Rock Borough or Slippery Rock Township, the Student Government Association will be offering transportation to the polls on Nov. 5. More information about transportation will be available prior to Election Day,” SRU Communication said in an email to the student body.
However, there are other systematic issues that prevent some students from voting. First-time voters are required to show identification and, depending on the state, a student ID may not work. In PA, student IDs are considered valid for this purpose.
Voter suppression can be more prevalent for students who are marginalized by disability, socioeconomic status or other identities. There are lesser-known governmental protections in place for individuals with physical impairments.
“In general, we don’t really inform people about, if you do have a disability, how you can vote,” Jantsch said. “Polling locations are required to have ways that make it accessible for people like if you use a wheelchair, or if you have some other disability, they’re required to accommodate those…but not a lot of people know how to request those accommodations.”
Students also express concerns over missing class to vote.
“I am voting, but it is difficult because I have classes all day,” SRU student Clementine Grossoehme said. “I have to go when the polls open at 8 a.m. or I won’t be able to because I have a night class until 7 p.m.”
A proposed solution to this problem is making election day a federal holiday.
“If the college gave students election day off, that would free up a lot of students’ time. Of course, some of them still work…but it’s still giving them more time that they typically wouldn’t have,” Jantsch said.
Jantsch feels that, despite these obstacles, it is still important for students to get out and vote.
“[W]ith younger generations come newer ideas, especially if they are in an environment such as a university that fosters and encourages them to think critically and come up with these new ideas, and when they don’t vote, I think it’s preventing change and progress from happening,” she said.
Other students agreed with this sentiment and expressed frustration with the difficulties surrounding voting.
“My only option is to use a mail-in absentee ballot because I’m out of state and to even send the paperwork for that I would need access to a printer and then mail it. Then wait for the actual ballot to be mailed. Just a long process,” Vickie Herrick, an SRU student, said.
Herrick will be voting regardless.
“If I don’t vote and others like me do the same, our opinions and values will not be what is properly represented in the government. It’s one of our only opportunities to have a say in what is happening,” they said.
Grossoehme feels similarly.
“It makes me angry that some people don’t have the option to vote because they have to work or go to school,” Grossoehme said. “We are privileged enough to live in a swing state and I truly believe that my vote matters. It’s worth it to me to haul myself out of bed to do my civic duty.”
Moving forward
The last day to register to vote in PA is Oct. 21, and the last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is Oct. 29. Both can be done online anytime at vote.pa or in person at the Butler Courthouse during business hours.
If students choose to vote in person on Election Day, there are two nearby polling centers.
The Slippery Rock Borough Community Recreation Center is a mile from campus and covers voters in off-campus housing. The Slippery Rock Township Building is located near the Macoskey center and covers voters who reside on campus.
Both locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 5.
