Sara Schenk

Voting is a key part of adulthood, but for new voters, figuring out where to go, what to bring, and who or what is on the ballot can feel like a maze. College students especially are bombarded with information in the form of canvassing, endless mail, texts, and phone calls leading up to elections, which can quickly turn excitement into exhaustion.

What Do I Do?
Knowing where to vote is a foundational first step, but it’s not always straightforward. NASS, the National Association of Secretaries of State, is a reliable resource to find someone’s designated polling location simply by entering an address. This website can also help track if a student are even registered to vote, and if not, it’ll help them get set up! There is further information for college students, especially those who do not live in the county they are voting from.

Navigating the Ballot
Knowing what is on the ballot beforehand offers a person a chance to review who they would most like in offices. Ballotpedia is an excellent resource to view an unofficial ballot for this year. Viewing this ahead of time helps avoid the last-minute research on candidates or issues. Taking time with a sample ballot also provides a confidence boost—someone will know what they’re voting for and feel less rushed at the booth. Virginia legal expert Rich Kelsey says voters should probably do their own research. ‘At some point, it is the responsibility of the voter to know for whom they are voting and why,” Kelsey says. “And a lot of these sample ballots unfortunately exist because people are asked to go out and vote and a lot of times they don’t know who to vote for unless they associate that individual with a party.’”

Staying Sane Through the Noise
While staying informed is essential, the sheer volume of outreach during election season can be overwhelming. Canvassers in public places, flyers piling up in campus mailboxes, non-stop texts, and phone calls—it’s enough to make anyone want to disconnect and just have it over with.

It’s important to look for reliable, nonpartisan sources and take advantage of tools to block or reduce campaign texts and calls. Setting boundaries with notifications and focusing on essential information can help a person keep their sanity amid the chaos.

The Counseling Center at The University of California, Irvine published an article suggesting 7 tips for managing stress, with an emphasis on setting boundaries for a person’s mental health such as “Limit your exposure to political news and social media” and “Take mental and conversation breaks from politics.”

Voting doesn’t have to be intimidating, and with a few resources, college students can approach elections confidently and with clarity. Staying informed is difficult, and it’s perfectly fine to take it one step at a time. By prioritizing the essentials— getting registered, where to vote, and what’s on the ballot—students will be ready to make theirvoice heard without the confusion.