Unique challenges
College students often face unique barriers to voting, including frequent address changes, unfamiliar election rules, and tight deadlines. Recent voting law changes in Florida and other states have further complicated the situation.
Voter registration drives and canvassing organizations have long been ubiquitous on college campuses, helping thousands of students register. However, Senate Bill 7050, passed in 2023, made it more difficult for third-party organizations to operate by shortening registration application deadlines for county supervisors of elections, increasing fines for late filings, and requiring groups to re-register each election cycle.
Similar laws across the country have led to a decline in some campus-based voter drives. But according to the Orange County Supervisor of Elections Office, local engagement has remained steady. Instead, officials there said, the most frequent issues that can trip up student voting are human error — and are largely preventable.
“The most common reasons are missing or mismatched signatures on vote-by-mail ballots and ballots arriving after the 7:00 pm Election Day deadline,” said spokesman Blake Summerlin in an email to Vox Populi. “Another issue is outdated addresses when students move between dorms or apartments.”
Deadlines, IDs, and address changes
Navigating the changing rules around mail-in voting, including the requirement to request mail ballots with every general election cycle as mandated in 2021 by Senate Bill 90, and maintaining one's voter registration can be difficult, election officials say.
“For students who move between dorms, apartments, or back home, keeping their voter registration current is one of the biggest challenges,” Summerlin said. “Some students assume their information updates automatically, and that’s not the case.”
Questions about voter identification are also common, with many students unsure of the required documentation. Florida requires voters to present a valid photo and signature ID, which can include a driver’s license, U.S. passport, or military ID. In Florida, a student ID is also accepted as identification.
“Our job is to help students understand what’s required so there are no last-minute issues when they try to vote,” Summerlin said.
Even so, misinformation and fear may discourage students from voting.
“A lot of students worry about making a mistake,” Summerlin said. “Some think living in a dorm means they can’t vote locally. Others worry that voting could affect their financial aid or residency status.”
Another common misconception is that moving within the past year disqualifies students from voting.
“One of the biggest things we share is that if they’re registered in Florida, they can update their address at the polls and still vote,” Summerlin said. He added that updating one's address can help prevent ballot rejection.
What student voters should know
Students can register to vote either in the county where they attend school or in the county of their permanent residence, but they can only be registered in one location at a time.
Once registered, students can vote in several ways:
- Vote by mail, by requesting a ballot and returning it by Election Day
- Early voting, typically held 10 to 15 days before an election
- In-person voting on Election Day, from 7 am to 7 pm at an assigned polling place
It is highly recommended that students:
- Register or update their voter registration at least 29 days before an election
- Choose their legal voting residence, as registering at a home or campus address affects where and how they vote
- Check their voter information early, especially after moving
- Track registration deadlines, vote-by-mail request deadlines, and ballot return deadlines
- Request vote-by-mail ballots early if they plan to vote by mail
- Ensure vote-by-mail ballots are signed correctly to avoid rejection
- Update their address at the polls during early voting or on Election Day if they are registered in Florida
- Understand that address information does not update automatically and must be changed when moving between dorms or residences
Key Points:
- College Tour brings election staff directly to campuses
- Helps students register, update information, and learn voting options
- Stops so far: Rollins College, Keiser University, Full Sail University
- Upcoming visits: Valencia College (February 9), UCF (February 11)
- Students often face challenges with address changes and mail ballot deadlines
- Florida requires photo and signature ID; student IDs are accepted
- Students can vote by mail, early voting, or on Election Day
- Officials encourage registering or updating info at least 29 days before elections
