Kutztown University: Student Voting Rights And Access

Students at Kutztown University are encouraged to vote, with the Office of Student Involvement regularly hosting and coordinating events that promote civic responsibility and community engagement. The National Voter Registration Act makes it possible for every member of the Kutztown University community to register to vote, and the university has partnered with TurboVote to provide an easy online portal to support the voter registration process. In the 2022 midterm elections, Kutztown University received the Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts, reflecting a student voting rate of between 60 and 69 percent. Despite the Berks County elections board deciding to keep the polling place about five miles off campus, more Kutztown University students are heading to the polls despite having to travel a greater distance to get there.

Student voter registration at Kutztown University

Kutztown University has been recognised for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts, receiving the Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its student voter participation in the 2022 midterm elections. The university is committed to making it possible for every member of its community to register to vote.

Voting is a Right and a Responsibility

Kutztown University believes that voting is not only a right but also a responsibility. The National Voter Registration Act strives to make it possible for every member of the Kutztown University community to register to vote. The university has partnered with TurboVote to provide an easy online portal to support the voter registration and voter education process. TurboVote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit service that will also provide important reminders related to the voting process.

Registering to Vote

Students attending college have a choice about where to register to vote. They may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered at their permanent/home address. This is completely the student's choice and depends on where they would like to vote.

Voting Options

There are a few options for casting your ballot: absentee/mail-in voting, early voting, and voting on election day.

Absentee/Mail-In Voting

Absentee voting allows you to vote by mail if you are unable to get to your polling place on Election Day due to injury, illness, disability, travelling, being a student at an out-of-state college, or being a member of the military.

Early Voting

Early voting allows registered voters to cast their ballots on specified dates before Election Day. Most states offer this voting option.

Voting on Election Day

Voting on Election Day involves going in person to your official polling place and casting your ballot. Polling locations in Pennsylvania are open from 7 am until 8 pm.

Voter ID

When voting at a polling place for the first time, ID is required. A student ID works as a form of voter identification if you choose to vote in person.

Absentee/mail-in voting options

Absentee voting is a great way to avoid lines at the polls and make your voice heard in an upcoming election. If you are a student at Kutztown University, you can register to vote either in your hometown or at your campus address. This means that if you are unable to get to your polling station on election day, you can request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.

Kutztown University has partnered with TurboVote to provide an easy online portal to support the voter registration and voter education process. TurboVote will also send important reminders related to the voting process, such as registration deadlines and when to request an absentee ballot.

To register as an absentee voter, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. You may also be asked to provide a valid form of ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The deadlines for registering as an absentee voter vary from state to state, so be sure to check the requirements for your specific state. For example, the deadline to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot in Pennsylvania is October 29, 2024, for the November 5, 2024 midterm election.

Once you have registered as an absentee voter, you will be able to request an absentee ballot. This process also varies by state, but generally, you will need to fill out an application and submit it by your state's deadline. After you have received your absentee ballot, be sure to carefully follow the instructions for completing and returning it. Your ballot must be received by the deadline for it to be counted.

Absentee voting is a convenient way to participate in the democratic process and ensure that your voice is heard, even if you are unable to make it to the polls on election day. By planning ahead and following the necessary steps, you can easily cast your vote by mail and have your say in who represents you.

On-campus polling locations

Kutztown University has been recognised for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts, receiving the Silver Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for its work in fostering high levels of student voter engagement during the 2022 midterm elections. The university's commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life is evident in its encouragement of students to exercise their right to vote.

In the past, Kutztown University had an on-campus polling location at the Keystone Building. However, in 2013, the polling place was moved off-campus to the Maxatawny Township municipal building, approximately five miles away. This decision was made by Berks County's elections board, taking into account the preferences of poll workers and voters outside of the university, as well as voting statistics that showed low student participation outside of presidential election years. Despite protests from some students and staff, the off-campus polling location remains in place.

The university provides support for students wishing to vote through its Office of Student Involvement, which offers a voter registration initiative as part of its civic responsibility and community engagement programs. The university has also partnered with TurboVote to provide an easy online portal for voter registration and education. Additionally, the Andrew Goodman Foundation and the Campus Vote Project provide voter education and support to students.

While Kutztown University no longer has an on-campus polling location, its efforts to promote student voting and engagement in the democratic process are commendable. The university provides resources and support to ensure that students can exercise their right to vote, regardless of the polling location.

Student voting rates

Kutztown University has been recognised for its efforts in increasing student voter registration and turnout. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) awarded Kutztown University the Silver Seal for its nonpartisan democratic engagement, which saw a student voting rate of between 60 and 69 percent in the 2022 midterm elections.

Kutztown University has partnered with TurboVote to provide an easy online portal to support the voter registration and voter education process. TurboVote assists by providing important reminders related to the voting process. The Andrew Goodman Foundation (AGF) and the Campus Vote Project (CVP) also provide voter education and support.

The National Voter Registration Act strives to make it possible for every member of the Kutztown University community to register to vote. Students have a choice about where to register to vote: they may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered at their permanent/home address.

In the 2016 elections, the Berks County elections board decided to keep the polling place at the Maxatawny Township municipal building, around five miles off campus, despite protests from some students and staff. Previously, the polling place was on campus at the Keystone Building. This change was said to make it harder for young voters. However, a study found that more Kutztown University students are heading to the polls despite having to travel a greater distance to get there.

Nonpartisan democratic engagement

Kutztown University was recognised with a Silver Seal by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that encouraged high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections. The award reflects the university's commitment to making nonpartisan democratic engagement a defining feature of campus life.

The National Voter Registration Act makes it possible for every member of the Kutztown University community to register to vote. The university has partnered with TurboVote to provide an easy online portal to support the voter registration and voter education process. TurboVote is a nonpartisan, nonprofit service that provides important reminders related to the voting process.

The Office of Student Involvement at Kutztown University regularly hosts and coordinates events that promote civic responsibility and community engagement. These include voter registration initiatives, community service projects, and leadership training. The university also provides information on polling locations, voter registration, absentee ballots, and voting IDs.

Kutztown University students have a choice about where to register to vote. They may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered at their permanent/home address. This decision affects who is listed on their ballot. For example, if a student is from Michigan but registers to vote in Kansas, they will only be able to vote for Kansas candidates.

In the past, Kutztown University had an on-campus polling location in the Keystone Building. However, in 2013, the polling place was moved off-campus to the Maxatawny Township municipal building, which is about five miles away. Despite protests from students and staff, the Berks County elections board decided to keep the polling place off-campus. Christian Leinbach, a Berks County Commissioner and member of the elections board, stated that the decision was based on the preferences of poll workers and voters outside of the university, as well as low student participation in non-presidential years.

Frequently asked questions