Today is the last day to register to vote in the Massachusetts primaries, and voting advocates are working to bring as many students into the fold as possible, several said this week.
Risa Nyman, executive director of the Massachusetts branch of the League of Women Voters, said her organization is focusing on registering more college students to vote, citing statistics that show a disproportionate number of young people are unregistered.
“It’s clear from statistics that college students aren’t a big voting block,” Nyman said. “Candidates would listen more to their concerns if these kids get out and vote.”
She said it is easy and fulfilling for students to get involved and that there is no need to be apprehensive about the process because it is designed to be accessible.
Most students can pick up voter registration forms on their college campuses, at registration drives, in the local election offices or at most government buildings, according to votinginfo.info, a LWV website created to provide information on voting for Massachusetts residents. Students can also register for an absentee ballot by writing a request to the city clerk in their hometown.
But any students receiving financial aid, such as scholarships, in their hometown, need to register in their home state to maintain residency and continue receiving aid, Nyman said.
Once people are registered in a certain city all they must do to remain registered is keep their address current with their local election office in case they move, according to the website.
Nyman said there are several reasons many college students do not register to vote. Some students are unsure of whether they should vote in the city in which they attend college or in their hometown, while others are nervous about the process and some simply do not see the direct connection to their lives.
Boston VOTE Program Coordinator Atiya Dangleben said students must realize the power of their votes and the effect they have on students’ lives.
“Students don’t realize that registration is the first step in exercising their right to vote and impact things that directly affect their lives,” Dangleben said. “They don’t recognize that direct connection.”
She also disputed the idea that the primaries are less important than the general election. The percentage of students who register to vote usually increases for the primary election because students tend to feel that it is more important, she added.
“Registering and voting in the primaries allows you to narrow the field and determine the options available in the general election,” Dangleben said. “Students disempower themselves by not voting.”
Some Boston University students said they are concerned with voter registration as well.
College of Communication sophomore Mara Tamaroff said she has been registered to vote for a couple years and feels it is important for other students to register.
“If you don’t vote for a representative then you don’t have the right to complain if you don’t like who is elected,” Tamaroff said.
The Massachusetts deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 2 general election is Oct. 13.
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