Worried about being prepared to vote in the midterm elections this November?

Worry not—according to UNI’s website, students will be able to vote on campus at any of three satellite locations from Wednesday, Oct.17 through Thursday, Oct. 25.

The purpose is to allow students to vote early, removing the hassle of finding precincts and registering on time. 

Students will be able to register to vote and cast a ballot the same day, and those who choose to vote on campus will be casting absentee ballots. These ballots will be signed and sealed in envelopes and not counted until election day. 

There will be three voting locations on campus: Redeker Dining Center, Schindler Education Center and Maucker Union.

According to UNI’s website, voting will be available at the Redeker Center on Wednesday, Oct.17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 18 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday, Oct. 19 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Ballots can be cast in Schindler Education Center on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., and Maucker Union from Oct. 22 to 25, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

All satellite locations will be handicapped accessible and staffed by trained precinct officials.

According to the Black Hawk County Auditor’s Office (BHCAO), students should prepare by attaining proper documentation and registering with the correct precinct before attending satellite locations. This will prevent long wait times and ensure everyone has the opportunity to cast a ballot, the BHCAO said. 

For students who are not registered, all that is required is their driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number. If students are not registered in the precinct in which they are casting their ballot, or do not have a driver’s license, they will be required to sign an oath attesting to their identification, according to the BHCAO. 

Those who would like to register either before they vote on campus or on election day, have many options to choose from before the deadline on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Students can register through the Iowa Secretary of State’s website, mail in a registration form to the Blackhawk County Auditor’s Office or register in person on election day.

“Satellite voting is an easy, convenient option to participate in our democracy that is just like voting on election day,” said Danielle Templeton, senior elementary education major who has been an advocate for satellite voting on campus. “We elect policymakers who affect our lives, and this is our chance to make our voices heard.”

The November midterms will feature a wide array of candidates running for election. Open seats include the United States House of Representatives, the  Iowa governorship, Iowa state Senate and house seats, as well as intermediate appellate courts and local judgeships.

Of particular interest to those in Black Hawk County is the Iowa first congressional district race between Democrat Abby Finkeanuer and Republican Rod Blum. Election day is  Tuesday, Nov 6.