How to prepare for the upcoming presidential election

By Jules Batchker

With the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5, many students will soon cast their ballots, some for the first time.

Charles Zelden, professor in the Department of Humanities and Politics, said it’s important for students to vote and to understand their eligibility, state requirements and candidate choices.

“[Voting] is where their voices are heard,” Zelden said. “That’s the only way politicians can hear what you want.”

Zelden, who has written eight books on voting and elections, civil rights and judicial politics, emphasized the importance of this upcoming election.

“The 2024 presidential election is going to be one of the largest elections in American history in choosing whether our country is going to remain Democratic or move more toward an authoritarian model of democracy and government,” he said.

Zelden encouraged students who are first-time voters to stay updated on current events and to research the candidates tackling issues that matter to them.

So who’s running in 2024?

There were originally 20 candidates, but 11 dropped out. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican candidate, suspended his presidential bid on Jan. 21, endorsing Donald Trump. There are currently three Democratic candidates: Joe Biden, Dean Phillips and Marianne Williamson; three Republican candidates: Trump, Nikki Haley and Ryan Binkley; and three Independent candidates: Robert F. Kennedy, Jill Stein and Cornel West.

Before students vote, they’ll need to register. Registration deadlines and necessary documentation vary by state and territory. Students can register to vote online, in person or by mail. Forty-one states offer online voter registration. Certain states, including Florida, also allow registration at the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Florida allows residents to register online and print out forms to register by mail at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov.

Some states participate in voter registration events. The website National Voter Registration Day provides a list of upcoming events by zip code.

For states that require registration by mail, students can print out a national mail voter registration form from the United States Election Assistance Commission website under the “voting” tab.

Next, students can research parties, like the Democratic, Republican or Independent parties, and investigate their core values before aligning themselves with any one. States can allow open or closed primaries. Open primaries refer to voting without declaring a political orientation, while closed primaries require voters to choose a political party before casting a ballot.

Voting itself is simple. It is important for students to check local polling locations and hours if voting in person. If they are in line before closing, they cannot be denied the opportunity to vote. Depending on the polling location, ballots may be collected on paper or via touch screen.

The Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center is an official polling site, but registered voters are required to vote in the precinct of their legal residence in Florida. Residents can look up their designated polling location online at the Florida Division of Elections website under the tab “for voters.”

For students who may not be able to go in person, absentee ballots allow voting before Election Day by mail or dropbox. Every state allows absentee voting, but deadlines and eligibility rules vary. Some states automatically send voters absentee ballots before each election. Students can check their state’s official website or the National Conference of State Legislatures website for more information on qualifications for and methods to request an absentee ballot.

To request a vote-by-mail/absentee ballot, students can contact their local supervisor of elections. Supervisors of elections by county can be checked on the My Florida Elections site. Requests can be made in person or by mail, email, fax or phone.

Vote-by-mail ballots can be dropped off in drop boxes at early voting sites. Consult with the Florida Division of Elections website under the “for voters” tab to find nearby secure dropbox locations.

Requests for vote-by-mail/absentee ballots must reach the local supervisor of elections office no later than 5 p.m. on the 10th day before the election.

Zelden encouraged students to find the candidate who they feel is worth their vote.

“In this particular election, [students] have a choice to make,” Zelden said. “Decide what it is you want for the future, find the candidate who gives you the best chance of getting the future you want, and vote for that candidate.”