The stories in our 'Students' category highlight the challenges that many young voters face. Whether attempting to vote in the state where they attend college as out-of-state students, or opting to pre-register to vote before turning 18, students' stories demonstrate their determination to actively engage in the voting process.

Contrary to what some may think, students are well-aware of the importance of their votes in shaping policies and selecting the leaders that will define their future. We invite you to explore these inspiring stories of young voters whose voices are a core component of our nation's democracy.

Read Sohail's voter journey to learn how early civic involvement can help establish a lifelong habit of voting.

As young people engage with their community or participate in the political process, they can increase their sense of political efficacy, a crucial source of motivation to sustain voting behavior. Increasing motivation and decreasing barriers are instrumental in fostering voter turnout for young emerging voters.

In Sohail's case, he pre-registered to vote before he turned 18 and therefore had fewer steps he needed to take before he could cast his first ballot on Election Day. Young voters have the added steps of:

- needing to register (and sometimes re-register when they move out of their family home)

- acquiring Voter ID

- sorting out logistics of where to vote, when to vote, and how to vote

- educating themselves about candidates and policies for the first time

- securing transportation to vote

Every rung on the ladder to voting takes effort to surmount. Pre-registration at schools, social service agencies, or motor vehicle departments can help alleviate that burden and transform students into voters.

Check out Clarissa's voter story to see how students transition when deciding how to vote if they have moved elsewhere for their studies.

Clarissa's knowledge serves as a bridge to young voters who are leaving the nest to pursue higher education in a new voting district. These young citizens may opt to:

- return to their family's home voting precinct

- request an absentee ballot, or

- re-register in their new voting district

Clarissa expertly helps students navigate through these choices as they weigh their best options. Students may analyze whether to register to vote in the district where they have relocated for school or to keep their voter registration at their family home. These students may consider:

- where their vote would have the biggest impact for their own personal goals

- how their vote would best contribute to the betterment of society

- how feasible it is to return home to cast their ballot if they are away at school

As the leader of Students Learn Students Vote, Clarissa can connect students with resources and organizations to support whichever voting decision students determine is best for their personal circumstance.

The key factor here is that if there is a will to vote, there is a way to vote! Our Voting Champion Beth was so determined to make sure her vote counted that she drove across several states from her university to her home state to cast her ballot - see her story in our Absentee/Vote-by-Mail category - but there are other pathways as well that are illuminated here in our Student category.

Read on and become uplifted by students' determination to vote and advocates' commitment to help. These stories shine a light to show other young voters how to cast their ballots and to assure them that they are not alone in their journey.

If you have a student voting question you'd like answered, or would like to share your own story as a student voter, reach out to the YES Campaign!

Stories

Voting Rights Restoration

Can I Vote if I Have Been Convicted of a Felony?

Can I Vote if I Have Completed My Prison Sentence?

Can I Vote if My State Does Not Automatically Restore My Voting Rights?