By Chuck Merlis
The 2022 midterm elections, which are being held nationwide on Nov. 8, 2022, are rapidly approaching.
The deadline to register to vote in the state of Florida, which was Oct. 11, 2022, has passed. However, voter registration deadlines are state-to-state, and University of Tampa students from out of state can find up-to-date voter registration information through Vote.org. This nonpartisan election website offers information on how and where to vote.
Students in Florida voting by mail have until 7 p.m. on election day to get their ballots mailed to elections supervisors, however, cutoff times for mail-in ballots also vary state-to-state, so students are urged to familiarize themselves with the election laws of the state they are from.
Ryan Paik, a senior business management major at The University of Tampa, says that he has familiarized himself with the election laws of New Jersey leading up to election day.
“I have already sent in my ballot, so I am not worried, but for New Jersey, the ballot cutoff is 8 p.m,” said Paik. “It is different for every state, it took me less than five minutes to find the information I needed. No one has an excuse.”
Early voting in Florida will open on Oct. 29, 2022, and will go through Nov. 5, which is three days prior to election day.
Dr. Mary Anderson, a professor of political science at UT, who serves as the faculty director of AllIn Democracy Coalition, provided resources for UT students looking to vote.
“Vote.org is a nonpartisan election website where students can find out about early voting, students can check their registration, and they can look things up by the state,” Anderson said. “Students are from so many different states at UT, it is impossible to know the rules and regulations of every state. Vote.org is a great tool for students voting out of state.”
Anderson says that students voting out of state should vote by mail and urges students to request an absentee ballot as soon as possible.
“There is still time to request an absentee ballot,” said Anderson. “It would have to be a quick turnaround for those students.”
Anderson also urges students to attend tabling events hosted by UTampa Votes: All In Democracy Coalition to receive information on voter registration status, request an absentee ballot and find their voter precinct.
Voter turnout is an issue stressed by politicians and political pundits in every campaign cycle, however, midterm elections historically see lower voter turnout than presidential elections.
The United States Census Bureau reports that 53% of eligible citizens voted in the 2018 midterm elections, compared to the 66.8% of eligible citizens who voted in the 2020 presidential election.
Max Johnson, sophomore political science major, said he is eager to vote and wishes more of his fellow students were also eager to vote.
“Elections matter,” said Johnson. “No matter what side of the ideological fence you fall on, elections have consequences. To me, voting is the only way to make your voice heard. I hate people who do not vote who then complain about certain policies or politicians. If you feel so strongly, you should have voted.”
Fairvote.org, a nonpartisan organization whose primary mission is to promote fair elections, reports that midterm elections average a lower percentage of voters. However, the organization also stresses other factors when considering voter turnout. Those factors include Gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age.
In 2018 voter turnout doubled from 15% in 2014 to 30% in 2018, the highest percentage of young people in any midterm election in United States history. Voter turnout in the 2018 midterm elections was up across all age demographics.
While 30% of young people going to the polls is still a relatively low number, Circle reports that 8 million new people under the umbrella of young people have registered to vote in the 2022 midterm elections.
“All things that affect students on a regular basis are decisions that are coming down from the government. It’s important that their voices are heard. Students typically get really tuned in during presidential elections years … but it’s really midterm elections where it is state and local elections on the ballot that really affect people’s day-to-day lives,” said Anderson. “Any decisions about education, or reproductive access, or environmental regulation, or voting rights and elections rules come from state and local politics, so voting for state and local politicians is critical.”