Tuesday, Nov. 5, is less than a month away, but it is not just an ordinary Tuesday. It is Election Day. 

Like many campuses around the country, UW-Whitewater is making efforts to increase the number of voters on campus. To achieve this goal, it is starting at the beginning of the voting process: registration. 

Registration sounds simple in theory, but there is more to it than meets the eye. UWW Chair of the College Democrats Evelyn Schmidt highlights the laws regarding voter registration in Wisconsin. 

“Out-of-state students cannot register to vote online in Wisconsin. They need to either mail in their registration, register in person at the City Clerk’s office, or register for a day off at the polls,” Schmidt explained. “Out-of-state students need to know that they have the right to vote in Whitewater for this election. Personally, I am from out-of-state and the process can be confusing. However, it is worth the struggle because of how much more influence my vote has here in Whitewater than in my home state.”

One way Whitewater is helping UWW gain higher voter registration this season is by the Whitewater City Clerk being on campus to help register students in the University Center on Oct. 15 from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Oct. 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Another way is through the Whitewater Student Government lending a hand with voting registration efforts on campus. WSG calls their initiative the “50 in 15” which refers to their goal of having 50% of students registered to vote within 15 days. From Oct. 1 to Oct. 15, WSG will have voting registration drive tables set up in the UC. They also have been in classrooms and hung informational posters and banners around campus. 

“The final goal is to help as many students as possible,” said WSG Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Orin Smith. “I’d like to see a record student [voter] turnout in Whitewater.”

Smith expressed the importance of voting not only as a person living in the United States of America but also as a student. 

“WSG is a political organization, and so we understand the importance of civic engagement, and voting is one of the biggest civic duties you can interact with,” Smith said. 

Additionally, voting efforts have been in the works since this past spring regarding on-campus polling options. 

“Historically, gaining voting access on UWW’s campus has been a hard fight.  Generations of UWW students have fought for a consistent polling place on campus. This past spring, after months of testifying at city council meetings, the Whitewater Common Council passed an agreement solidifying an on-campus polling place for students,” Schmidt said. “The UC is now a permanent polling place for all elections held between Sept. 1 and 15. For the first time since the 2022 midterm election, UWW students have the opportunity to vote on campus. My message to campus is this: your fellow students have fought for your right to vote, use it.”

The big question many people wonder is, how will we as a campus and others reach a higher voter turnout?

“The main way to overcome barriers to getting out the student vote is to educate students. The main issue I am seeing is students are unaware of where and how to vote. The university is launching several voter education efforts through Warhawks Vote,” Schmidt said. “Warhawks Vote is a nonpartisan voter education initiative led by the university. Our mission is to get as many students registered and educated before election day. For student-specific voting information, go to uww.edu/vote.”

First-time voter and UWW freshman Noah Huffman was filled with excitement at the thought of voting. 

“I’m feeling very excited to finally have my voice heard,” Huffman said. “From a young age, my parents have always told me how important voting truly is.”

It is not too late to register to vote. In-state students can register at the My Vote website any time before Election Day. Out-of-state students can keep an eye out in the UC for WSG tables or the Whitewater City Clerk before Oct. 17.

“It is important to use your voice,” Smith exclaimed, “we as students are very privileged to have the access to vote and have a say in the democratic process, so make a plan for Nov. 5.”