^^Those are probably old enrollment numbers for Iowa State. It was 36,001 (actual number) as of a year ago.
All of those numbers look old by at least a few years. I know UI has been 30k plus the last few years minimum. I think Kirkwood is also higher and spans not only Linn county (main campus), but a sizable Johnson county campus and locations all over the counties surrounding Linn and Johnson.
I can't speak for anyone else, but the reason why I'm at Iowa State is because the net cost is $5k cheaper than the U of M. Obviously I like the campus and academic programs, people, and etc., but cost was the deciding factor between the two schools. I do know that statistically the number of students from my HS who go to college in Iowa is significant.
Regarding voting, the state does not care if you sign up to vote there for four years or send an absentee ballot to your home state. There are some states that try to shame you into not registering there, but Iowa is not one of them. I personally vote down there since MN is not a swing state. Braley/Branstad in 2014, likely Hillary/Grassley this year.
