College Student Registration and Voting in the Time of COVID-19

Abstract

We investigate options for college students to register and vote in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruptions from COVID-19 have hit individuals across all walks of life. But with regard to elections the pandemic might have an especially large effect on college students who are not able to return to campus because their school has shifted exclusively to online learning or because they are not comfortable being in close contact with large numbers of people. We explain where students can register and vote for five sets of circumstances, focusing on two groups: (1) students who are presently registered to vote in their college town but are temporarily away; and (2) students who are not yet registered but have lived in their college town and are temporarily away. Our overall conclusion is that despite disruptions to their living arrangements, students generally have an option to register and vote in their college town.

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