All About Absentee Ballots: Exercising the right to vote in the midst of a pandemic.

American citizens are given a right that is undeniably significant and that shouldn’t take it for granted.
According to the United States Census Bureau, only about 45 percent of 18 to 29-year-olds registered to vote actually vote and according to College factual, that age range makes up 61.8 percent of Eastern University’s student body. With the 2020 Presidential Election quickly approaching, it is important to know how to exercise your right to vote, especially amid a pandemic.

With Covid-19 precautions in place, Eastern University residents are required to stay on campus unless they are leaving for an essential purpose. Mail-in voting has been instilled for this year’s election so that citizens can vote in a safer environment with less risk of being exposed to the virus. While there has been some controversy over the accuracy of mail-in voting, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, “Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado reminded President Trump after he opposed voting by mail on fraud grounds, “Mr. President, we’ve had vote by mail in Colorado for years. We don’t have fraud. But we do have the second highest turnout in America.”’

According to College Factual, the Eastern University undergraduate student body pulls from 22 states. With coronavirus precautions preventing students from returning home on election day, this means that all students residing outside of Pennsylvania who wish to vote need to do so through an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots are used for people who cannot vote in-person on the day of the election.

To get an absentee ballot, you must be registered to vote. Additionally, every state has absentee voting, but they each run it differently. If you are in need to request an absentee ballot or have any questions in regards to absentee and early voting you can follow these codes.