[EL] Five Steps Colleges Must Take To Ensure Student Voting Rights Are Protected

Tue Jul 28 15:20:11 PDT 2020

Students should also be advised as to whether voting in their school’s state will have an impact on residency requirements in their home state.  There have been several state court decisions that have prevented those who have voted  in their college or law school states from running for office once they return home.   This group is obviously a small universe, but the information should be provided.

Jerry H. Goldfeder
Special Counsel

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From: Law-election [mailto:law-election-bounces at department-lists.uci.edu] On Behalf Of Elias, Marc (Perkins Coie)
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 12:10 PM
To: Election Law Listserv
Subject: [EL] Five Steps Colleges Must Take To Ensure Student Voting Rights Are Protected

I just published my latest piece<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.democracydocket.com/2020/07/student-voting/__;!!N5JjT8_g!IsvuGLuwKEFpxi_sB1IpRZFj5bKZ61xqXCsWnXKs365hSyZ-EOx16SSIvYRRnY75vQ$> outlining the Five Steps that colleges and universities must take now to protect student voting rights.

As a part of this effort we have also created a  petition on change.org<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.change.org/protect-student-voting-rights__;!!N5JjT8_g!IsvuGLuwKEFpxi_sB1IpRZFj5bKZ61xqXCsWnXKs365hSyZ-EOx16SSIvYSdgd9QaA$> to demand that colleges commit to the Five Steps to protect student voting rights.

Five Steps Colleges Must Take To Ensure Student Voting Rights Are Protected
Shifting voting laws compounded by uncertain return to campus plans have left student voting hanging in the balance.
In addition to the usual uncertainty surrounding voting rules, students are now having to grapple with daunting questions: Does taking virtual classes mean relinquishing the right to vote as a resident of their college communities? If students start at college but leave before the end of the semester, where can they vote in person?
Just as colleges and universities must meet the challenges of COVID-19 to protect student safety, so too must they protect their students from voter suppression and disenfranchisement.
Colleges and universities are uniquely situated to protect their students’ voting rights. They are a trusted source of information for students navigating this difficult time. They have the means to communicate with their students. And they have a moral and educational obligation to take an active role in protecting voting rights and ensuring that all eligible students are able to cast a ballot and have their vote count in November.
Here are five steps that colleges and universities should take now to protect student voting rights:
1. Provide every student with a clear summary of the state’s registration and voting requirements. A memo emailed to students and posted on the school’s website that explains the voting laws in the school’s state, including the voter registration laws and how to obtain an absentee ballot and vote by mail is essential. This should include the rules for students who wish to vote as residents of their college communities, even if they are taking virtual classes in the Fall as a result of COVID. This will allow students to make a fully informed decision as to where to register and vote.
2. Provide every student who requests it the necessary confirmation of residency and a form of address verification the student may use to vote. For states that require it, proof of residency requirements will be even more burdensome this year with students away from campus, unable to obtain utility bills or paychecks that they normally receive during the school year. Colleges and universities must provide students with temporary proof of residency forms and address verification documents that can be forwarded to wherever students are voting from.
3. Provide students with resources to assist with the process of voting. Because postage and printing are often obstacles for young voters, schools should mail physical copies of absentee ballot applications to all students. In states that permit it, schools should provide postage to their students for applications and voted absentee ballots and should place drop boxes and collection points for students to return ballots on campus. Schools should provide free witness and notary services if required for students to vote by mail. Schools should also establish a helpline and email help desk for students to contact to answer any questions about the voting process.
4. Provide regular encouragement and deadline reminders. Colleges and universities should send emails and text messages to encourage registration and voting and remind students of all relevant deadlines, specifically the voter registration deadline, absentee ballot request deadline, and the ballot receipt deadline. Schools should harness their social media platforms and most popular accounts—often sports teams, popular coaches, or alumni—to amplify similar messages to the entire student population.
5. Hold local election boards and legislators accountable for their suppression of student voters. Colleges and universities are important stakeholders in their communities and must use their influence to advocate for student voting. Colleges and universities increase employment, stimulate local business, and enrich the community. Colleges and universities must make clear to local government officials that student voting rights will define the relationship between the school and its surrounding community. Schools must send the message that they will hold local governments accountable for voter suppression aimed at their students.
Millions of students will vote this November—many for the first time. We cannot allow this pandemic to sever the critical tie students have to their campus communities and deny them the right to vote from a place they still call home.
Read the full article here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.democracydocket.com/2020/07/student-voting/__;!!N5JjT8_g!Pab3b5e4k7wf6RJOahte87YjjGnXPGg7zPGIELtSFxgK30bu_VR1MQjkp5bkWFeZzFw$ [democracydocket[.]com]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/www.democracydocket.com/2020/07/student-voting/__;!!N5JjT8_g!IsvuGLuwKEFpxi_sB1IpRZFj5bKZ61xqXCsWnXKs365hSyZ-EOx16SSIvYRRnY75vQ$>

Sign Democracy Docket’s petition here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://t.co/ED6S1ekOPc?amp=1__;!!N5JjT8_g!Pab3b5e4k7wf6RJOahte87YjjGnXPGg7zPGIELtSFxgK30bu_VR1MQjkp5bkmcRJ6lM$ [t[.]co]<https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/t.co/ED6S1ekOPc?amp=1__;!!N5JjT8_g!IsvuGLuwKEFpxi_sB1IpRZFj5bKZ61xqXCsWnXKs365hSyZ-EOx16SSIvYR7NqdcZQ$>

—
Marc Elias
Perkins Coie LLP
700 13th St, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 434-1609

For scheduling, or if it is urgent, contact Delia Goldin: DGoldin at perkinscoie.com<mailto:%20DGoldin at perkinscoie.com> or (571) 244-3012.

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