Drake’s satellite voting station makes voting more accessible for students

Drake’s satellite voting station makes voting more accessible for students Categories: News Drake’s satellite voting station makes voting more accessible for students Sophia Juhler, Staff Writer • Oct 13, 2026 Alex Alexanian Students registered to vote in Iowa can cast their ballot at the Knapp Center on Oct. 19 for early voting or on Election Day Nov. 3. Drake will have a satellite voting station again this election, allowing students registered in Iowa to vote on campus instead of at their designated precinct. Drake Democrats and Drake College Republicans worked together to petition for the station in early September. Drake Democrats Chair Gabrielle Brooks emphasized how convenient it is for students to vote at the satellite voting station. “You’re basically doing an in-person absentee ballot request form,” Brooks said. “They give you your absentee ballot and you fill it out and turn that in to the poll workers that are working at the satellite voting station.” Senior Kristin Neary is from Minnesota, but is planning on voting in Iowa for the first time this election. She is also planning on voting at the satellite voting station. “I felt like what was happening in Iowa affects me more than what’s happening in Minnesota since I’m there maybe a couple weeks a year,” Neary said. Neary felt it was very important that students get out and vote so they can have a say in the issues that will impact them. “For example, the drinking water in Iowa was a main motivation for me to vote in Iowa and that is something that affects everybody at Drake,” Neary said. Students interested in voting in Iowa can register to vote online at least 15 days before the election or while casting a ballot during early voting or on Election Day. Brooks also emphasized the importance of students showing up to vote this election. “At the state level, everything is up for grabs,” Brooks said. “We’ve got the entirety of the state House. We’ve got half of the state Senate. Every single statewide office is on the ballot this year.” Brooks said no matter what someone’s political party or views are, she hopes they vote. It’s the one chance they get to decide who leads the state and nation. “We get the chance to say ‘I like what you’re doing. I’m affirming you.’ Or we push them out.,” Brooks said. Brooks appreciates that Drake’s satellite voting station makes it easier for Drake students to vote. “[By] having a satellite voting station, we’re removing barriers for people,” Brooks said. “We’re creating accessibility and we’re having a space where people can come … and vote and not have to worry about anything getting lost in the mail.” Drake’s satellite voting station will be located in the Knapp Center. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 19 for early voting and on election day, November 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment Donate to The Times-Delphic Your donation will support the student journalists of Drake University and help us maintain our website. Donate More to Discover More in News Items stolen from Drake football players during game New Latin sorority seeks chapter at Drake University Lighthouse Memory Care to open in former Alpha Delta Pi House New fraternity approved for campus; full launch to take years Q&A: Provost Joe Valenzano talks love for Drake, student retention Hannah Hill wins first-year senator election About the Contributor Sophia Juhler, Staff Writer Sophia is a sophomore studying Multimedia Journalism, English and Creative Writing & Writing Studies with a minor in Spanish. While she wrote for The Times Delphic some as a first-year, she’s excited to write more for them this year. In her spare time, Sophia enjoys reading, listening to music and crocheting.