Out-of-state students may not be able to vote if they don't apply for an absentee ballot from their home state this month.
If students register before then, they will be able to receive their absentee ballots in time to send them in and have their votes counted.
Students can apply for an absentee ballot by calling the Registrar of Voters office in the county in which they are registered to vote.
Heather Johnson is a spokeswoman for BeAbsentee.org, a nonpartisan organization launching a national campaign to expand absentee voting. She said it is crucial that every vote be counted this year, despite the potentially confusing process of applying for an absentee ballot.
"Students may have trouble registering for an absentee ballot," Johnson said. "Once a student understands how to register and they find the drive to do it, it really is simple, though."
Senior Becky Green of Texas said a lot of students who should vote may not know about the application deadline.
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"Of course it is important for students to be registered," Green said. "I just don't think that many students know that the deadline is so close."
Sarah Coffey, UNMPIRG secretary, said New Mexican students with busy schedules can also get a mail-in ballot so their voices will be heard.
"If students are registered for absentee voting, they can just vote from home, and it saves you time in travel and standing in lines at the polls," Coffey said. "All of the registration and voting happens right around the time of midterms, and we want students to be able to be heard whether they are busy or not."
Senior Luis Prieto-Wilmot said each student is responsible for registering to vote even if only by absentee.
"It is very important, especially with this election," Wilmot said. "This is a time of change, and we need the turnout from students to vote."
Johnson said students can use BeAbsentee.org to find application and deadline information for their state.
"It is a new time for people right now," Johnson said. "Utilizing the technology that we have in the Internet age will help expand voting."
Deadlines for absentee ballot requests:
Arizona - Oct. 26
Texas - Oct. 28
California - Oct. 28
Utah - Oct. 31
Colorado - Oct. 28
Provided by BeAbsentee.org
