Students Have Participated in Elections on Campus in Recent Presidential Years

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party is calling on Purdue University to make voting available on campus for the 2024 election as it has done in previous election years. Reporting this weekend by the Purdue Exponent shows that may not be the case this fall.

“Purdue students should be able to vote on campus like they have done for years. The latest reports that there will not be a voting location on campus is simply unacceptable for the thousands of young people who want to participate in American democracy.” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl.

For years, Purdue and the county gave students the opportunity to vote conveniently and safely on campus. In 2020, students lined up to vote at Mackey Arena and in 2016, students voted at the Purdue Memorial Union. These sites allowed students to vote easily on campus – a major factor for students without a car or regular transportation off campus. 

Purdue requires all undergraduate students to complete their Civics Literacy program, but actions like this discourage students from taking part in the political process.

“The Indiana Democratic Party urges Purdue, PurdueVotes, and the Tippecanoe County Election Board to find a resolution to this issue. As one of our country’s best universities, every student, regardless of party, at Purdue who is legally registered to vote should be able to make their voice heard in this important election.

Tippecanoe County is taking away the on-campus polling site by vaguely claiming that Purdue facilities don’t meet statutory requirements. University administrators don’t seem to be pushing back. All this decision does is suppress the ability for Boilermaker students to cast a ballot in this year’s election, and it’s just plain wrong.

“The county and university should rethink this decision, and agree to open an on-campus polling site for Purdue students, as it’s done several times before.” said Schmuhl.