By RYLEE BURD
Tiger Media Network
While 2025 might not have been a major election year, many Fort Hays State University students still cast their ballots for the first time. For some, it marks an exciting step into adulthood; for others, it brings questions about where and how to vote.
Ellis County Clerk Bobbi Dreiling said her office aims to make the process as accessible as possible.
“There are no Kansas statutes requiring the County Clerk to have a role in getting students registered to vote,” Dreiling said. “However, our office furnishes voter registration cards at the Memorial Union so that if students want to register in Ellis County, those cards are available for them to fill out.”
Many students arrive at FHSU already registered in their hometowns or home states, but Dreiling said those who wish to re-register locally can easily do so on campus. For students living in residence halls, the county’s early voting site is three blocks from campus and offers two weeks of advance voting along with a Saturday morning option.
Dreiling noted that one of the most common issues first-time voters face is simply not being registered ahead of time. She encourages students to take advantage of local resources and not underestimate their impact.
“Your vote does count not only in local elections but in every election,” she said. “That one single vote could determine who wins.”
On campus, the Student Government Association plays a major role in promoting student engagement. According to Grace McCord, SGA’s Legislative Affairs Director, the organization regularly partners with the American Democracy Project to host voter registration events, election forums, and social media campaigns that remind students about key dates and deadlines.
“Many students aren’t sure whether to register using their campus or permanent address, or how to request a mail-in ballot if they’re from another county or state,” McCord said. “Voting is a learning experience. Each election helps you become more confident and informed for the next one.”
McCord, who voted for the first time while still in high school, said that early experience taught her the importance of local elections and their connection to community growth.
“Students aren’t just visitors here; we’re part of the broader Hays community,” she said. “Local decisions affect things like housing, transportation, and community safety, which matter to all of us.”
Her advice to fellow first-time voters is to start early and take advantage of campus resources.
“Ask questions and get informed,” McCord said. “Every vote truly does matter.”
Between Ellis County and FHSU’s student organizations, resources are in place to help students navigate registration, polling locations, and early voting. Both Dreiling and McCord hope those first ballots spark a lifelong habit of participation.
For many students, voting for the first time is more than a civic duty. It’s a reminder that every voice counts—and that shaping the community starts with showing up.
For Tayton Roberts, a political science major and Student Office and Marketing Assistant at FHSU, the decision to register and vote for the first time came naturally.
“I think I was just genuinely excited about the opportunity to vote,” Roberts said. “As a political science student who grew up in a large town where civic engagement was always encouraged, the importance of registering to vote at 18 was deeply ingrained in me. It felt like an important step in becoming an active and responsible citizen.”
Roberts grew up in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City, and said that her background has shaped her approach to voting now that she lives in Hays.
“I was originally registered to vote in my hometown, but once I started school here in Hays, I knew I wanted my vote to count in Ellis County—and I wanted to vote in person,” she said. “That meant I had to learn more about the local elections here and do a lot of research to understand the issues and candidates that directly affect this community.”
When it comes to the issues she cares most about, Roberts said the cost of living and inflation are at the top of her list, along with social issues that impact equality, opportunity, and overall quality of life for people in her community.
Registering to vote in Hays, she said, was a smooth experience.
“It was actually very simple,” Roberts said. “I just went in and changed my registration to my Hays address, and the process was quick and straightforward with no major issues.”
Finding a polling place was just as easy.
“I found out that the polling site was at a local church not too far from campus, and since I have my own car, I just drove there after class,” she said. “The whole process was quick and convenient.”
Roberts believes that student voices have a powerful role in shaping the Hays community.
“As college students, we make up a large part of the community,” she said. “Since many of us live here for four years or more, it’s important that we vote and share our opinions on the issues that impact both the university and the city.”
Although campus life can sometimes feel separate from the town, Roberts said she’s found ways to connect with Hays through work and local experiences.
“Sometimes it feels like campus is its own little world, but I work in the community, attend local events, eat at restaurants, and shop at local stores—and all of those things are affected by local politics in one way or another,” she said.
Her message to other students is simple: get registered and show up to vote.
“Register to vote,” Roberts said. “Even if the deadline for the current election has passed, it’s never too early to get ready for the next one. Every vote truly matters, and participating is such an important part of being an active citizen.”
She said casting her first ballot was a powerful and emotional experience.
“I was so excited. It felt surreal to finally vote, especially being able to do it in person,” she said. “There’s often this idea that one person’s vote doesn’t matter, but I couldn’t disagree more. I felt so inspired and motivated knowing that I was able to make my voice heard and take part in something bigger than myself.”
Looking ahead, Roberts plans to stay engaged in civic and political issues beyond this election.
“As a political science student, I’m constantly engaged with political and civic issues,” she said. “Since I’ll be living in Hays for the next few years, I want to stay informed about local policies and continue being as educated and involved as I can in the community.”