The South Dakota Secretary of State’s office released a new iOS and Android app called Vote605 this month to help South Dakota residents, including students, get voter information for the mid-term election. After logging in with voter’s name and zip code, information for the upcoming election appears. The app shows a map of the poll location. The app also has a sample ballot for voters to look at prior to voting. The selections made in the sample ballot are not transmitted to or tracked by the state. Information that is considered private such as a social security number or full birthdate is not in the application. The voter record is also not tied to the address of the voter to further protect the voter, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
South Dakota’s primaries will be June 3. The ballot in Vermillion will cover United States senate, governor and Clay County commissioner primaries. Voters will also select the mayor of Vermillion and candidates for alderman in select wards.
“Eighteen to 24 year olds make up close to 20 percent of the voting age population and they have the lowest turnout by far,” said Rachelle Norberg, a member of College Democrats.
Norberg believes it is important for students to voice their opinion with their vote.
“For as big of population as college students make up, they are very underrepresented in the issues and in the people they send off, simply because they don’t vote,” Norberg said.
Full Article: App aids South Dakota residents, students in voting | The Volante.