Voter Registration Guide

Registering to vote can be a confusing process. Thankfully, there are many resources available to you that can help. We've created a short guide to the process that provides some of these resources for you to explore.

Step 1: Determine Where You Want to Vote

Assuming you are going to college in a different state than your home state, you have two options on where to vote: at home or at college. Legally, you can register to vote in your home state if you intend to go back, or you can register to vote in your school state if you consider that home now. Deciding which one to choose is a many-faceted issue. Here are some things to consider when deciding where to place your vote:

• State Historical Voting Trends
• Some states consistently vote Democrat or Republican, for example, California and Alabama respectively. Conversely, states which sometimes vote Democrat and sometimes vote Republican are called swing states. Often, these swing states will be important deciding factors in the federal election, as they contribute key electoral votes to the race.
• Most likely, if you are a Republican voter in a historically Democratic state, or if you are a Democratic voter in a historically Republican state, your vote will not change the election outcome, as the solidly red or blue states have a much higher proportion of votes against yours. Thus, if your home state is a swing state and your school state is a non-swing state, it may be the right choice for you to choose to register absentee in your home state, and vice versa.
• If you’re interested in learning more about where to vote, check out this Explorable Explainer we’ve created!
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Regardless of where you choose to vote, keep in mind that your vote always matters. Even if it may not impact the federal election directly, your vote can exert great influence on important state and local politics and government.


• State Absentee Voter Laws
• Each state has a different voting and absentee process. There may be a variety of rules about registration deadlines and absentee ballots depending on which state you are in. Sometimes these rules place restrictions on absentee voting; for example, in Michigan if you registered to vote by mail then you will not be able to get an absentee ballot until the next election. Google is a great resource here, as well as this handy Vote.org guide about absentee ballot rules.


• Mailing and Logistical Concerns
• If you choose to vote absentee, you will need a mailing address to which the ballot can be sent. Sometimes, living in dorms or on campus means that you do not have a personalized mailing address. Be sure to check your campus’ policies and rules on getting mail before choosing your dorm or house as an address! You will also likely need proof of residence, which you should inquire of your university or college.

Step 2: Register to Vote

Before you can sign up for an absentee ballot, you must first register as a voter in your chosen state. There are often multiple ways to do this, and these will vary by state. Be aware that sometimes the first time you register must be in person at a DMV or government office. Three common forms of registration are:

• Online Registration
• This is a bit of a misnomer, as online registration usually means downloading a form, printing it and filling it out, and then mailing it into a government office. This is due to security concerns about identity theft and voter fraud. Many college students choose this option, as it is considered “easiest” and least time. However, just be sure that you have access to a working printer and the government documents necessary (such as state IDs and proof of residence) and that you account for enough time for the mail to be received.
• Never give out your information online; some spam sites may try to trick you into entering personal information such as Social Security Number or address. Registering to vote requires you to physically mail in a form rather than submit anything online.


• In-Person Registration
• This is probably the least confusing of the registration options, as it involves going to a DMV or clerk’s office where a government employee can help you register. However, this is also the most time-consuming option and is often the most inconvenient for college students, as DMVs and government offices tend to have slow service and long wait times. It is still a good option for registration in one step.


• Voter Registration Drive
• Many college campuses host voter registration drives, where students or employees can register to vote at a booth on campus. Keep an eye out for information about these drives from your university or college; they are a quick and easy way to register (usually they are only for registration in your college’s state). They may not happen very often, so be sure to check with your school or student politics club.

To find your state’s voter registration process, check out USA.gov.
Services like TurboVote also aim to make voter registration easier and more accessible. This is another option to start registering!
Registering to vote is just the first step in absentee voting; don’t give up yet!

Step 3: Get Absentee Ballot

State policies on how to obtain absentee ballots differ. Some allow you to request an absentee ballot online, but sometimes you have to mail in a form, get an absentee ballot, and then send that ballot back. You can find a link to your state’s election office website at USA.gov.

Enter your state and it will take you to the state website. Find the section that says “Absentee Voting” or “Register to Vote Absentee” or similar and follow the steps to get your absentee ballot application! Usually, this is just downloading a form and mailing it, however there may be some additional steps.

Don’t be overwhelmed; these will always be laid out for you on the website in the order that you need to do them.

Step 4: Check to Make Sure You Are Registered

It is always good to be sure that you are registered before election day. If you want to check, visit your state’s voter website or a website such as the National Association of Secretaries of State in order to see your registration status.
Keep in mind that your registration may take some time to process, so give it a few weeks after you send in your initial registration!

Step 5: Figure Out When/Where to Vote

If you did not sign up to vote absentee (e.g. you have chosen to vote in your school’s state), you will need to go in person to the polls. Vote.org is a website that can direct you to your nearest polling place.

Keep in mind that the polls are only open during certain hours on election day, so be sure to check your class schedule and arrange for transportation accordingly. Usually the polling place will be close to your campus, but carpool, public transportation, Uber/rideshare companies and bikes are all great options to get to the polls. Odds are, your friends will also be voting, so use it as an opportunity to help each other!

Step 6: Be Aware of What You Need to Bring

Different states have different regulations involving voter ID cards. Double check your state’s policy; student ID cards may not be accepted in some states which require government-issued ID. Check out the National Conference of State Legislatures website to see if your state requires ID.

Step 7: Vote!

Registration is just the first step! Be sure to do your research on the candidates, policies, and positions for which you are voting; it is paramount to be informed on the issues and to know what you are supporting.

If you are having difficulty voting, the Election Protection Hotline is a great resource for assistance. Call 866-OUR-VOTE to reach them and their valuable resources.

They also have a very useful website which has information on all states and which can be a valuable asset in the entire voting process. This site can be found at 866ourvote.org.