ELECTION 2024: How to vote as an out-of-state college student in Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - In this year's election cycle, more than 40 million members of Gen Z will be eligible to vote — many of them college students.

But if they're attending college outside their home state, it could make the voting process a bit more complicated.

"There are many young people who may feel disenfranchised by the government, by some of our systems and so the only way to be able to insert your values in the process is by voting," says Toni Monette, Assistant Director for the Office of Engagement at the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Ten to 15% of the student population at the University of Nebraska Omaha are from out of state.

The Office of Engagement says they're frequently asked how to navigate registering and casting a ballot.

"Where do you feel like your vote will make the most impact? What community do you feel the most tied to? And then from there, you can navigate the complicated process of voting in all 50 states, because the voting rules, the election laws are all different," says Monette.

UNO senior Git Gatluak recognizes some of the challenges for his peers.

"If you're out of state there's a lot of different hoops you have to go through just to be able to vote," says Gatluak.

For out of state students who want to vote in their home state, the Office of Engagement encourages students to use websites like Turbovote.

"So you can get the information you need to register, or even voting by mail, if you're not going to be home that's a consideration," says says Monette.

It's also important to know *how* students can vote back home as some states don't allow absentee ballots without a verified excuse.

For out-of-state students looking to vote in Nebraska, it's recommended to fill out a voter registration form with the Douglas County Election Commission.

To register, only a Nebraska Driver's License or state ID is valid– not any other states. If students don't have a Nebraska ID, the last 4 digits of a social security number also work. Once registered, out-of-state students can use their college campus ID card to vote.

Monette explains there's also no need to "unregister" yourself to vote from a previous state. Once a person is registered to vote in Nebraska, they will no longer be on another state's voter rolls.

"I can assure you, having watched the election commission go through that election process, they do multiple checks, in multiple ways in multiple systems for your social, your government ID etc. to make sure where you're officially registered so that you can't vote in multiple places," says Monette.

For busy college kids the newly added steps to get out and vote, may feel like a hassle– something that may deter potential voters.

"There's an opportunity cost to going on a website and searching for voting information that can take a lot of time out of your day and if you have other priorities, that can be a barrier," says Monette.

Though the presidential race is in the spotlight, Monette is reminding students voting is local too.

"Historically not everyone has been able to vote and I believe now that each person has the ability to vote it's important to make sure your voice is heard," says Gatluak.

If you're a UNO student and you're registered to vote using your south campus address, there is a polling location in Mammel Hall. For students on the north side of campus using the Dodge campus address, you can vote in person at Lifegate Midtown Church.

Below is a list of the major deadlines for this year's election cycle in Douglas County:

Registration Deadlines:

In-person at local election office : Oct 25 by 6:00 p.m. CDT

Online : Oct 18 by 11:59 p.m. CDT

By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 18

Absentee Ballot Deadlines:

Request ballot (received by) : Oct 25 by 6:00 p.m. CDT

Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 5 close of polls

Return ballot in person : Nov 5 close of polls

Voting deadlines

Early voting : Oct 7 - Nov 4

In-person : Nov 5