With it being a presidential election year and a census year, 2020 is an eventful year in terms of civic duty.
Both events are important to participate in for Americans but have different dates, regulations and requirements as are indicated below.
Voting in the presidential primaries
For out-of-state students and those living significant distances from cities in Tennessee, requesting and submitting an absentee ballot still allows your vote to be cast in your home county.
States vary in their deadlines to request an absentee ballot and to send the completed forms back, as well as have different primary election dates.
With Tennessee bordering eight states with different dates, mark your calendars to ensure your vote does not arrive at your home election site late.
Tennessee, North Carolina:
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Feb. 25, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: March 3, 2020
Primary Election: March 3
Arkansas
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Feb. 25, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: March 2, 2020
Primary Election: March 3, 2020
Missouri
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Feb. 26, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: March 10, 2020
Primary Election: March 10, 2020
Alabama
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Feb. 27, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: March 2, 2020
Primary Election: March 3, 2020
Mississippi
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: No deadline
Deadline to return the ballot: March 9, 2020
Primary Election: March 10, 2020
Georgia
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: March 20, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: March 23, 2020
Primary Election: March 24, 2020
Kentucky
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: May 12, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: May 19, 2020
Primary Election: May 19, 2020
Virginia
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: June 2, 2020
Deadline to return the ballot: June 9, 2020
Primary Election: June 9, 2020
Reporting in the 2020 Census:
Starting in 1790, the United States surveys its residents every 10 years to officially update demographic information.
Most college students had not graduated high school when the 2010 Census was administered, so questions abound for college students who might not have permanent residence in Knoxville.
Unlike voting in the primary or presidential elections, it is important to complete the census based on where you are currently living: for students, this means their “local” address at UT.
For students living off campus (i.e. Fort Sanders, apartment complexes not owned by UT, etc.) residents will complete one Census form for the unit, meaning all roommates will be included on one form.
On-campus students can complete the census in various ways, depending on the university. Two common methods are to complete an individual form distributed by census representatives or for the university to complete one form per residence hall.
That being said, the 2020 census will be the first to feature an online option, as well as reporting over the phone or by mail, as is most common.
