The Campus Cup - Student Voting Guide

Two UVU students in a dorm room, on a bed, looking at a laptop.It's That Time Again

Every four years, it seems that all you can find on the news, social media, and the web are opinions and information on one thing: the U.S. presidential election. However, despite the charged atmosphere that sometimes surrounds candidates and elections, it’s important to make your voice heard.

On average, people between the ages of 18 and 24 are least likely to vote. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, voter turnout in the 2020 election “increased as age increased,” with older, wealthier, and more educated individuals being the most likely to vote.

Low voter turnout by age and demographic directly translates to less representation for young and marginalized voters in local and national offices. Colleges around Utah are trying to change this trend by creating the Campus Cup—a competition between the major universities in Utah that tracks voter registration by school.

The good news? We are already increasing the voter turnout of people like you. The bad news? We’re in second place to Brigham Young University. Whether you’re a first-time voter or vote in every election, keep reading for important deadlines and voting instructions so Utah Valley University comes out on top this year.

Here’s the information you need to know to register:

Register to Vote

  1. Register to vote online by Friday, October 25 (or in person on Election Day).

    The registration process is simple and only takes a few minutes. If you miss the October 25th deadline, you can still register at your polling location on Election Day; you’ll just need to provide two forms of identification.

  2. Check your voter registration status.

    If you’re already registered, check that your voter status is active. You’ll be prompted to enter your personal identification info, and the page will display your ballot mailing address, voting precinct and district, and your voter status. You’ll also see options on this page to update your ballot mailing address and voter information.

Research Candidates

  1. Learn what candidates and measures will be on your ballot.

    Prep for the election by researching the candidates in advance! Sites like  Ballotpedia and Vote411 are nonpartisan resources to view sample ballots, learn about ballot measures, and research the candidates up for election. All you need to do is enter your permanent address to generate a local ballot.

  2. Research a candidate’s website, social media, and voting record.

    Once you know who will be on your ballot, you can research a candidate’s stances on their individual website and social media; both can convey their priorities, background, and experience. If the candidate has previously been in office, you can research whether their stances align with their actions. Visit govtrack.us to view congressional voting records.

Vote

  1. Learn how you can vote.

    Know your options, then make a voting plan. Utah sends every registered voter an absentee ballot, so you’ll receive a ballot in the mail if your permanent address is in Utah. Once you follow the above link and enter your permanent address, the webpage will display ballot drop-box locations, dates to postmark or return your ballot, and in-person voting locations in your county.

    Utah is primarily a vote-by-mail state, so you’ll automatically receive a ballot at the address you registered to vote with. (You can update your ballot mailing address, but it needs to match the physical address on your state-issued ID.) You can even track your ballot, so you’ll know when it’s been mailed to you and when it’s been counted.

  2. Postmark your ballot before Election Day or return your ballot to a drop box before 8:00 PM on November 5th.

    You’ve registered and done the research—now it’s time to vote. When your ballot comes in the mail, read the instructions, fill in your choices, and sign the ballot. From there, put the ballot in the mail or return it to a drop box location. It’s that easy.

    UVU even has a ballot drop box in front of Fulton Library to make voting hassle-free. You can drop your official ballot off any time before November 5th.

  3. If you prefer, vote in person on November 5th.

    Missed the deadlines to vote by mail? No problem. Find your nearest polling locations and their hours of operation, then vote in person. Remember that if you are in line when the polls close, you are legally allowed to vote.

Need Help?

If you have questions about voting in Utah, visit vote.utah.gov. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of U.S. voting rights, check out Fulton Library’s voting research guide and voting rights booklist.