With less than a week until Election Day, university communities across the country are beginning to wonder what the anticipated youth vote turnout will look like on campus. As voter registration rates reach record highs, concerns are mounting that voting on November 4th may take longer than usual — a fact that may deter young voters from reaching the polls. Schools like Liberty University and Alverno College have given students a day off from class this Election Day to encourage them to vote or even volunteer at the polls. Student at the University of Virginia have started an online petition to persuade professors to give students leniency if they are absent on Election Day. Some administrations feel strongly that students must learn to balance their daily commitments with their civic duties. Others feel they must do everything in their power to encourage and enable students — many of whom will be voting for the first time — to vote, even if it means canceling a day of class.

More from the Journal Sentinel Online
More from Inside Higher Ed
UVA Petition: Recommend Professors Forgive Absences on Election Day
More from Liberty University