Northwestern University

10/28/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/28/2024 10:52

Getting out the (student) vote

Getting out the student vote

By participating in the 2024 election, young voters could bring a 'tidal wave of change,' public opinion expert Erik Nisbet says
October 28, 2024 | By Win Reynolds
Medill student Miguel Tsang voted early by mailing in his Virginia state ballot. Voters age 18 to 29 set a new high when an estimated 50% voted in the 2020 election. Photo by Jonah Elkowitz

Michah Kier, a first-year theatre student at Northwestern and soon-to-be first-time general election voter, is keenly aware that Gen Z may have a decisive voice in the outcome of the historic 2024 presidential election - a "toss up," according to the election forecasting website 538.

"I'm from Cook County, and I'm planning to vote early in Schaumburg," Kier said. "I'm voting there both to participate in local politics and because based on the lawn signs I've seen there, my vote might matter more."

With less than two weeks remaining, polls show Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are neck-and-neck heading into Election Day on Nov. 5. The youth vote, like every election, could be pivotal to how the 2024 general election plays out.

Young voters, age 18 to 29, set a new high when an estimated 50% voted in the 2020 election, likely one of the highest rates of youth electoral participation since the voting age was lowered to 18, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at Tufts University. A dramatic increase from turnout in 2016, young voters still lagged significantly behind American voter turnout as a whole.

"This means that older voters' preferences disproportionately influence election outcomes simply because they turn out to vote. If younger voters turned out at the same rate as other age groups, that would be a tidal wave of change in American politics," said Erik Nisbet, a Northwestern expert on public opinion and director of the Center for Communication & Public Policy in the School of Communication.

Northwestern students voted at a rate of 41% in the 2022 midterms, compared to 31% of college students across the country.

Because college students are permitted to vote in either their home state or the state of their school, many had a decision to make.

"I sent in my ballot to my home state of Virginia two days ago," said first-year Medill student Miguel Tsang. "It has more weight there."

Traditionally young adults have been the least likely age group to be registered to vote, and when they do register, young voters often do not follow through with their plan to vote because of confusion surrounding the voting process and hectic schedules.

However, in the last few elections, Northwestern has become a national leader in reversing these trends among college students. Recently released data from the National Study of Student Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) at Tufts University showed that, among 1,200 colleges and universities, the average registration rate for the 2022 midterms was 76.1% of eligible student voters. In contrast, 89.5% of Northwestern students registered to vote, and during the same elections were 33% more likely to cast a vote than other college-aged peers.

Learn more

Visit the Voter Services Station in Norris until Friday, Nov. 1 and get answers to all your 2024 voting questions.

Election guide

Northwestern's award-winning NU Votes initiative helps students, faculty and staff get registered, get educated and get to the polls - or mailbox - to vote by mail.

The University's award-winning NU Votes initiative helps students, faculty and staff "get registered, get educated and get to the polls" - or the mailbox to vote by mail.

Northwestern Now has compiled a list of resources that are available on campus whether you choose to vote in-person on Election Day or by mail-in ballot.

It's not too late to register

Many state registration deadlines have passed. However, in Illinois, voters can register or change their registration all the way up to Election Day, Nov. 5, so students not registered in their home states still have a chance to vote. In order to register, students will need to bring two forms of identification: a photo ID and proof of address.

What qualifies as proof of address?

Typically, documents such as utility bills are used to prove residence, but students living on campus may not receive bills to their address. Polling places will accept student address listings in Caesar or residency letters (found on the NU housing portal), as sufficient proof.

Finding a polling place

In-person voters will need to locate their assigned polling place, which will differ depending on the address. According to Rob Donahue, director of Northwestern's Center for Civic Engagement (CCE), most students who live on campus in Evanston will be voting at Parkes Hall or the Noyes Cultural Arts Center, but all students should check the Illinois Online Voter Registration tool to verify their Election Day polling place before heading out to vote.

How does one vote early?

Early voting in Cook County has started. Evanston and suburban Cook County voters can vote early at the Evanston Civic Center (2100 Ridge Ave.) through Nov. 4; see early voting hours here. Chicago voters can vote early at any of 51 locations throughout the city.

During the week leading up to Election Day, NU Votes will run its annual Voter Van on the Evanston campus, shuttling early voters from Norris to the civic center for early voting.

The absentee voting process

Voters who have requested an absentee ballot but not yet received it can track it to make sure it's on its way, or follow up with their local election officials.

Voters who have received their ballot should be sure to complete and return itright away, allowing as much time as possible for it to arrive before their state's deadline.

What if a stamp, photocopy or notary is required?

Stamps are available at CCE (1813 Hinman Ave.) or Northwestern's Res Hall Package Centers in Foster-Walker Complex and Kemper Hall.

For photocopies, notary services or additional support, NU Votes offers in-person support at CCE and at Voter Service Stations in Norris.

Visit the Voter Services Station

Community members can visit a Voter Services Station in Norris from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 to Nov. 1. Students can also check out NU Votes' 2024 Presidential Election Education Guide to get voting questions answered and educate themselves about what's on the ballot. NU Votes staff are ready to answer any other questions.

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