During the move-in chaos of travel, packing tape and cardboard boxes, students often forget one last thing: voter registration.
Florida constituents can only vote in person on Election Day at an assigned precinct correlated with their registered address, which new college students often forget to update.
Students should ensure their voter information is inclusive of Gainesville permanent addresses well before election day whether they’ve never registered before or just need to file an update, said Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office Director of Community and Outreach Aaron Klein.
Failing to do so could create voting barriers, which he said include receiving an assigned precinct that would require students to travel back to their county of origin.
“For the most part, students, especially for that November election coming up, are going to be in Alachua County,” Klein said. “I often ask students, ‘Can you see yourself in November driving down… on Election Day and then coming back up just for the election?’ Usually the answer is no.”
While those with active registrations can make changes to their personal information on election day, Klein said he does not recommend waiting until polls open to update addresses, which could still result in a precinct change. First time voters or previously out-of-state residents must register 29 days before any given election to participate.
In Alachua County, there are 63 official precincts, with the majority of students living in dorms automatically assigned to the Reitz Union for in-person voting.
However, Klein said address changes are not required if students request a vote-by-mail ballot instead of traveling to the polls.
UF’s Bob Graham Center for Public Service, an organization founded in 2006 by former Governor and Sen. Bob Graham (D-Florida), hosts regular voter registration drives at campus libraries and travels to First Year Florida classes for UF freshman to encourage civic engagement.
The center also houses UF’s international studies major and public service minor.
Teresa Cornacchione, the center’s civic engagement coordinator and lecturer, said many students don’t realize they’re eligible to vote in Alachua County through a quick address update.
Registering in Alachua County gives students a voice in local elections that determine the city officials who make decisions impacting their day-to-day lives, including fund allocation to the Gainesville Regional Transit System.
“There's so much more to our elections than just the presidential election,” she said. “It gives you an opportunity to have a stake in what's happening in your local government and your local politics.”
Cornacchione emphasized the importance of remaining active in American democracy to prevent voter apathy. Much like the 537 Florida votes that determined former President George Bush’s win against Al Gore, she said individual votes hold a significance that shouldn’t be discounted, especially in ballot referendums and local elections.
State amendments appearing on the general election ballot, including protections for abortion rights and the authorization of recreational marijuana, won’t be passed unless 60% of Florida constituents affirm the decision.
“Elections do matter, and votes do matter,” she said.
In the wake of former UF President Ben Sasse’s sudden exit from the presidency, Cornacchino said she expects the center to gain more support following the appointment of former UF President Kent Fuchs as interim, who she said was a key partner of 2022 registration efforts.
However, UF College Democrats President Connor Effrain said recent Florida legislation has created hurdles for voter registration.
Enacted in 2023, Senate Bill 7050 imposed restrictions on voter registration drives, stipulating the events must be hosted through third party voter registration organizations, or 3PVROs, and that a receipt be provided to each registrant.
The bill additionally imposes additional fees for violations of election law, which Effrain said can deter smaller organizations from spearheading registration. However, he said UF College Democrats will persist, planning a collaboration with 3PVROs People for Power Florida and the Youth Action Fund for a “Dorm Storm” registration drive Aug. 16.
Local elections and referendums should be of great importance to students, especially during such a politically divided presidential election year, he said.
“If you'd asked me, I think that protecting the democratic institutions of the place where you're spending eight months of the year in for the next four years should be exceptionally important,” Effrain said.
The Alachua County primary election early voting will take place Aug. 5 through Aug. 17, with election day taking place Aug. 20.
Contact Morgan Vanderlaan at mvanderlaan@alligator.org. Follow her on X @morgvande.
Morgan Vanderlaan is a second year Political Science major and the Fall 2024 Politics Enterprise Reporter. When she's not on the clock she can be found writing, reciting, and watching theatre!
