It’s election season, and for CU sophomore Joshua Richardson that means endless confusion about the civic process. “I mean, it’s all so complicated, you know? I just don’t know what to do,” Joshua told Earth Muffins. On CU’s campus, Joshua is not alone: many students are confused about voting procedures.

Paula Marcelino, a strategic communications major, shared her frustrations with Earth Muffins:

I received my ballot a week ago and filled it out pretty quickly. But I wasn’t sure how to submit it…I know a lot of government services have gone online recently and I figured Boulder County Elections did, too. Once I found their ballot assignment on Canvas, I was able to submit a Google Drive link with pictures of my ballot. It was just so hard to navigate the whole process! Plus I don’t know what to do with my paper ballot now…do I keep it like a receipt?

Other students are encountering different struggles with the ballot submission process. A senior who spoke with Earth Muffins on the condition of anonymity was unsure about what to do with their completed ballot and terrified of the social consequence of asking. “It seems like everyone around me is constantly telling me how important the election is,” they shared, “but I just don’t know what to do with my ballot when I’m done completing it.”

Through tears, this student explained their struggle:

I have no idea how to send my ballot. I know you need a stamp, but I don’t know where or how to get one. Do they even sell those anymore? *sniff* I ended up just stalking the mailman and slipping it into the truck…I think that should be okay, right?

Amid wildfires, politics, and a pandemic, CU students are clueless at the ballot box. Maybe you can reverse the trend and vote.

Reminder: all ballots must be submitted on Canvas by 11:59 pm on November 3. Late submissions are eligible for 50% credit. (According to Electoral College policy, the curve will be generous in states like Wyoming and Alaska — don’t worry!)