The 2024 presidential election will be held Tuesday, Nov 5. For many University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students, this will be their first time voting in a presidential election and it can be an intimidating process.
The Racquet Press spoke with Emma Latus, the student board member for the League of Women Voters of La Crosse, on how to navigate voting as a college student. Latus spoke on the importance of checking the news, researching candidate policies and understanding what values carry the most significance to you so you can vote for who best represents those interests.
“As a young person, the people making decisions today will affect our lives for the rest of our lives,” Latus said. “Without participating, there’s no way for these representatives to know how we feel about things, what we want to see and how they should be representing us.”
The upcoming ballot will feature a range of candidates, elected positions and issues. Sample ballots, which show exactly what will be voted on, serve as a resource to get started on researching and forming a position.
When asked how she responds to individuals who feel as though their vote is inconsequential, Latus replied, “It’s a valid feeling to have in our political climate where we don’t always have people who represent us.”
“You have to vote to change that,” Latus said, emphasizing the need for student voices and engagement during elections.
Before voting, you must first be registered. To check your registration status, or to register online, visit myvote.wi. Students who wish to register online can do so through Oct. 16 and must provide proof of residence. Students who previously were registered under a residence hall address must update to a current address.
Students can register using their permanent home address or their college address, depending on where they plan to vote. The most common documents that are accepted as proof of residence can be found on the MyVote website.
If the online registration deadline has passed, you can register at your local polling place on Election Day. To same-day register and vote, both proof of residence and photo identification are required.
After this step is complete, there are several ways you can vote at your convenience. You can vote in person on Election Day, or you can request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be returned either by mail or by bringing them to the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center on campus, a polling station, or the La Crosse City Clerk’s Office.
Those who wish to vote in person can do so at their local polling place according to where they reside. The polls will open Nov. 5 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. UWL will also be offering in-person voting in the Student Union for students living on campus.
Absentee ballots should be in mailboxes by 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. It is important that mail-in ballots be requested and mailed in early enough to be processed and counted. If you have worries about your ballot being delivered on time, you can return it in person instead.
As of last year, in-person absentee ballots can be dropped off at the Cleary Alumni & Friends Center, allowing for better student accessibility. Students can also return their ballots by handing them into the La Crosse City Clerk’s Office or their local polling station beginning 14 days before the election.
Students with questions about voting who need additional resources can visit UWL Votes office hours in the COVE. For general election questions, call the La Crosse City Clerk’s Office at 608.789.7510 or visit this website.
