Students face voter registration deadline

Voter registration ends Oct. 10, and election officials in Monroe County hope people aren't waiting until the last minute to sign up.\n"Usually we get quite a few at the end from groups who didn't know when the deadline to register to vote is," election supervisor for Monroe County Jessica White said. \nWhite said it is important for people to register to vote as soon as possible to avoid a backup, especially if they are planning on voting by absentee ballot, as many college students do. \nThe last day for registered voters to apply for absentee ballots varies from state to state. In Indiana, the ballot application is due Monday, Oct. 30 at midnight. \nSeveral IU groups have been assisting in the voter registration process. \nThe IU College Democrats have been tabling for the last month at the Indiana Memorial Union, making sure everybody who stops by their location is registered to vote. \n"We're not trying to tell you who to vote for. We're just telling you to vote," said Brian Clampitt, the communications director of the College Democrats. Clampitt said the group was also educating students about their ability to vote early.\n"A lot of students don't know about early voting," Clampitt said. \nEarly voting is similar to absentee voting, except registered voters can cast their ballots in person without having to offer a reason for why they cannot vote on Election Day, Nov. 7. Indiana is one of 23 states that offer early voting.\nEarly voting in Monroe County starts Oct. 10, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and runs until Nov. 6 at noon. People can vote at the Monroe County Clerk's Office Annex in the Curry Building located on Seventh Street, right behind the Monroe County Justice Building.\nStudents need to know that if they register at the last minute, they will not immediately be able to vote.\n"The new system is slower," White said, "so you are pending for seven days before you are able to vote." If someone registers Oct. 10, they cannot actually vote until Oct. 17. \nClampitt cautioned that people who voted for a previous election in a different district need to re-register if they want to vote in Monroe County's district.\nLast week, the offices of the Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs wrapped up their final day of "Voter Registration Week," registering people at eight different locations around campus.\nFor information regarding voter registration and absentee ballot deadlines in other states, visit www.vote-smart.org.