student registration, the law

[sophie996]

this keeps coming up. www.feministcampus.org has the answers:


VOTING BY COLLEGE STUDENTS – COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

College students have the chance to make an enormous difference in the outcome of elections. But in order to vote, it is necessary to register first. The following are questions that college students commonly have about voting and registration.

What are the requirements in order to vote?

To be eligible to vote, you must be a United States citizen who will be at least 18 years old on election day and you must have registered to vote.

Where may I register to vote?

You may register at any place you deem to be your “residence.” This can be where you live during college (after all, you spend nine months, or more, a year there) or your parents' address (if you still consider it your residence). It is entirely your choice, but you may register and vote only in one place for any election day.

Am I really a resident of my college community for purposes of voting?

Yes. The United States Supreme Court has expressly ruled that college communities must allow students to register to vote there. (United States v. Symm, 439 U.S. 1105 (1979)). In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau counts college students as residents of their college communities. Federal funds are given to cities based on figures that include the student population.

If I register to vote in my college community, does that change my permanent residence for other purposes, such as determining where I live for purposes of in-state tuition or for my drivers' license?

No. The criteria for determining residency for voting are different than for other purposes, such as where a person resides for purposes of tuition or for the Department of Motor Vehicles. You do not change your residency for any other purpose by registering to vote in your college community.

When must I register to vote?

The exact deadline varies depends on the state. Generally, the deadlines for registration range from 10 to 50 days before the election. Check at your campus or via the web or call the registrar of elections listed in your telephone book.

Can I vote by absentee ballot?

Yes. Whether you vote in your college community or in the community where your parents' reside, you may vote either in person or by absentee ballot. If you wish to vote by absentee ballot, you must request an absentee ballot. Be sure to allow enough time for your request to arrive, for them to send you a ballot, and for it to be received. To be counted, absentee ballots must be received by the close of the polls on Election Day.

Prepared by Erwin Chemerinsky, Alston & Bird Professor of Law, Duke Law School

[Hello_Kitty]

1. Great info! Please kick this on campuses

I was at campaign headquarters last night and our district coordinator told us that college students in AZ who had registered Democrat were receiving anonymous phone calls from people warning them that they would be arrested at the polls if they tried to vote in their college district. This is really appalling because only official candidates and parties have access to voter lists. So you know this can only have come from Re-thug-licans.