MANKATO — A Bethany Lutheran College Student Senate committee is aiming to share information on what goes into the voting process as preparation for this year’s midterms ramps up.
The Community Service and Civic Engagement Committee, which started about two years ago, brought Blue Earth County elections staff in to host a presentation.
The discussion on Thursday covered topics such as how to register to vote as a college student, what students should keep in mind if they plan on casting a ballot while studying abroad and more.
Ellie Sorensen, Student Senate vice president and committee chair, said the group wants students to be more engaged and aware of everything that’s happening.
“We do have some classes on campus that do a great job, but it’s nice to have it coming from students rather than just professors as well,” she said.
Blue Earth County Elections Administrator Michael Stalberger led the conversation with the students.
He gave important reminders such as that students should register to vote from the address they consider home.
The Minnesota Secretary of State’s website says “for many students, this is likely a school address or a parent’s house. If you still go back to visit but no longer consider it your home, then you should register to vote where you live at school.”
Paying out-of-state tuition also doesn’t mean a student can’t vote in Minnesota.
But students should make sure they don’t accidentally vote twice in the same election.
Students also can have an absentee ballot mailed to them if they are studying abroad but should plan for plenty of time to send it back.
Stalberger said groups in the county can request election officials to present to their organization. Groups can request a presentation by emailing bec.elections@blueearthcountymn.gov.
“We’ll make sure that it’s a nonpartisan presentation open to the public, what kind of message they’re looking for and if we can fit it into our schedule at all we will,” he said.
Upcoming public presentations include: The county’s presentation offered in conjunction with the Mankato Area League of Women Voters’ presentation on potential impacts of the SAVE America Act at 6:30 p.m. March 4 at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Mankato Church, 937 Charles Ave. And the county’s presentation with Eagle Lake Active Adults highlighting how elections work and voters’ rights at 9 a.m. April 8 at Eagle Lake City Hall.