The youth demographic casts a key vote in presidential elections. According to the U.S. Census, approximately 23 million Americans age 18 to 30 voted in the 2008 presidential election. About 52 percent of all eligible college-age voters turned out for that election, up from 41 percent in 2000. If you’re an out-of-state student attending Loyola, absentee ballots allow you to cast your vote without having to travel home. The Associated Press reported that in 2004, 22 percent of voters used an absentee ballot in the presidential election.Follow the steps below to find out how to register and get an absentee ballot. Register to vote. You can do so by downloading the National Mail Voter Registration Form from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s website at http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx. Once the form is printed and completed, check the form’s State Instructions to see to whom you have to mail the form.

You can also register to vote at your local DMV, armed forces recruitment center or post office.

Different states have different registration deadlines. Louisiana’s registration deadline is 30 days before the election. Since the election is Nov. 6, 2012, Louisiana residents register on or before Oct. 5, 2012.

Find your state’s registration requirements at http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting.shtml

Once you’ve registered to vote, check http://canivote.org and select your state under “Make Your Vote Count: Absentee and Early Voting.” You should be directed to your state’s election information homepage with downloadable forms. For Louisiana, you can go to the Secretary of State’s homepage. Some states require you to mail in a request form first, and then you receive your absentee ballots. For some states, you can immediately download your absentee ballot. Checking your state’s voting requirements is very important.

For Louisiana voters, you can download your voting forms at https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/location/default.aspx

Fill out your request form, making sure to see if your home state requires any additional information from you. Once your form is complete mail it to your local election officials. Check out who yours are at http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/contact_your_state.aspx

Congratulations, you’re officially an absentee voter! Within a few days of filing your forms, you’ll receive your absentee ballot in the mail. Follow the filled out instructions and cast your vote.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The National Mail Voter Registration Form

http://www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.shtml

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission

http://www.eac.gov

Registering to Vote

http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Voting.shtml

See if you’re registered

http://www.canivote.org

What ID do I need to vote?

http://voterid.me