The Indiana government has created a new app in an attempt to get students and younger people to register to vote.
Sept. 22 marked National Voter Registration Day, and the Oct. 5 registration deadline is fast approaching. Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson said she is hoping younger voters can use the app to register to vote.
“Registering to vote is simple in Indiana,” Lawson said. “The Indiana Voters app is the next phase of this office embracing technology to improve customer service and citizen engagement.”
The Indiana Voter’s mobile app has several features, which allow users to register to vote, confirm their voter registration, look up polling places and driving directions, find out who’s on the ballot, track absentee ballot applications and contact local election officials.
Voting amongst college students is lower than what state legislators would like to see, Lawson said, and making a push for college students to at least register is a good first step.
In the 2014 general elections, 30 percent of registered voters in Indiana turned up to vote, according to in.gov. Of people ages 18-29, 21.5 percent voted, according to civicyouth.org.
“Voting is so important,” Lawson said. “People are making decisions that can effect the community and Ball State – it’s impacting you, and I ask that students please accept responsibility and get their votes on the ballots.”
Sophomore anthropology major Alyssa Bauer had never heard of the Indiana Voter’s app before, but after discovering she could apply to register on her phone, Bauer said she felt “more compelled” to enter her ballot this November.
“I didn’t even know this existed, but now that I think about it, this is actually really convenient, especially for college students,” Bauer said. “I don’t have to get up and go register somewhere specific – it’s all right here in my hand.”
A Muncie local, Bauer said she will likely go to her designated polling location to cast her ballot, but she said the easy accessibility to check her voter status was “a really cool way to attract someone in college to at least try and register.”
Ryan Shank, a sophomore telecommunications major, said he anticipates using the app to request his absentee ballot before the election so he didn't have to drive three hours home.
“It’s not easy to go all the way home to vote,” Shank said. “This app seems like a great way for students to get their voices heard in local legislation, whether it’s in Muncie or in their hometown.”
In addition to requesting absentee ballots, Indiana residents can also use the app to change the name of individual voter registration records, or change the address on their voter registration record. A driver's license or state ID number is needed to register to vote using the app. Anyone who has moved or changed their name will need to update their voting information.
Apple users can access the application via the app store, and Android users can access the application via the mobile store by searching “Indiana Voters.”
Hoosiers can also register online at IndianaVoters.com or at the local county clerk’s office or Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Eligible citizens older than 18 may register to vote, and Indiana residents have until Oct. 5 to register for the Nov. 3 election.
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