2012 Election
Cornell College seeks to engage its students and community in the 2012 Presidential election process. Cornell’s mission is to sustain “a community devoted to liberal learning and democratic values,” and to that end, the college encourages student participation in the state of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses. Throughout the election season, Cornell will host numerous candidates for the Presidency of the United States of America.
Cornell College does not endorse any candidate seeking elected office or any political party. The college does support critical thinking and analysis of political candidates and how to become civically engaged in the American democratic process.
Voter Registration
College students can register to vote at either their home or college address. Cornell students who want to register to vote in Mount Vernon need to complete a voter registration form (http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/voteapp.pdf) and return it to the Linn County Auditor’s office at:
Linn County Auditor
PO Box 1328
Cedar Rapids IA 52406-1328
The Linn County Auditor will send a voter registration card within two weeks. In order to pre-register, the registration form must be completed 10 days before primary and general elections, and 11 days before all other elections.
In Iowa, residents can also register and vote on Election Day by providing a picture ID and proof of residency. Acceptable proof of residency includes bank statements, paychecks, cell phone bills, residential leases, or government documents containing the current address. Cornell students who live on campus can also obtain proof of residency from Residence Life.
Students who live on campus typically vote at St. John’s Catholic Church. To confirm the correct polling place, go to https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx.
Voting Absentee
Cornell students who wish to register to vote at their home address but will not be present to vote on election day can request and mail-in an absentee ballot. Each state is different in terms of requirements. To find information for a specific state go to http://www.longdistancevoter.org/absentee_voting_rules.
Iowa Caucus
Iowa has the unique privilege of being the first state to select candidates for the presidential election. Iowa’s First in the Nation status means the Iowa caucuses are widely publicized and candidates spend a significant amount of time campaigning in the state. It is not uncommon for Iowa voters to personally meet presidential candidates.
The 2012 caucuses will be held on Tuesday, January 3. The Republican and Democratic caucuses are slightly different from one another. To learn more about each party’s process, go to http://www.desmoinesregister.com/interactive/article/20071219/NEWS09/71219068/INTERACTIVE-GRAPHIC-How-caucuses-work and click on the interactive graphic.
Additional Resources:
Iowa Secretary of State - http://sos.iowa.gov/index.html
A Brief History of the Iowa Caucuses - http://www.uiowa.edu/election/history/index.html
Project Vote Smart – http://www.votesmart.org