Final week to vote: a guide for CSB+SJU students
CSB+SJU campuses have a high voter turnout record to uphold. Many St. Ben's and St. John's students have the opportunity to vote next Tuesday in the 2024 election. Students can bring their student IDs to their designated polling places to be eligible to vote.
In 2022, CSB+SJU was recognized as one of the most civically engaged campuses in the nation. The school hopes to keep up this record this year. For that to happen, students need to understand how to vote in their communities.
In the 2020 presidential election, Minnesotans cast over 3 million votes. This meant that Minnesota had a voter turnout rate of about 79.57%—the highest in the country. College-age people, ages 18-24, are typically less likely to vote than their older community members. Presidential candidates and local representatives alike are working hard this election season to increase the number of people in this age group who vote. In Minnesota, despite having a high voter turnout rate, the rate at which young people vote is still very low.
This year, Minnesota voters will help decide who the next U.S. president and Minnesota U.S. senators are. Other state and local positions are on the ballot as well.
St. Ben’s students living in first-year residential halls, upper-class residential halls, West Apartments, and East Apartments can vote at Heritage Hall in the St. Joseph Church. The address of this location is 12 West Minnesota Street, St. Joseph. A shuttle will provide transportation from Gorecki Dining Center to Heritage Hall from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
For St. Ben’s Students living in Centennial Commons, the polling place is different. Centen residents should vote at the St. Joseph Government Center at 75 Callaway Street East, St. Joseph.
Most of the St. John’s students living on campus can vote at the Great Hall on the SJU campus. However, students who live in Vincent 41, 50, 51 or 60 must go to the Avon polling station instead. The Avon polling station is located in Avon Town Hall at 16881 Queens Road, Avon, MN 56310. Transportation will be provided if needed.
For students living on campus in any of the above locations who did not pre-register, please bring your student ID to the polling location. CSB+SJU has provided a housing list that verifies the residency of all students living on campus, but it is necessary to bring your student ID. Please be patient with this process, as the polling locations may be busy.
CSB+SJU students living off-campus have two different polling locations depending on where they live. Students living west of College Avenue will vote at Heritage Hall. Students living north of CR75 will also vote at Heritage Hall. Students living east of College Avenue and south of CR75 will vote at the St. Joseph Government Center. Students living off-campus who did not pre-register must bring a photo ID and documentation that verifies current residency in St. Joseph, such as a billing statement or residential lease.
All the above polling stations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Eugene J. McCarthy Center for Public Policy and Civic Engagement offers additional information on election details for any inquiring students. This center is located in Simons 136.
