As a college student, you can usually register to vote in either your hometown or where you attend college, depending on the residency requirements of your state. Review this article for some helpful tools to help you vote if you choose to do so from home or college residency.
Request your ballot:
While some states send ballots to every eligible voter and others require you to actively request a ballot to be sent, all will need your campus address to mail a ballot to you. Additionally, you need to make sure that your home address is up to date when you are requesting your ballot to ensure your voter registration matches. Utilize ALL IN To Vote’s Rule in your State tool to determine deadlines and requirements for requesting your ballot.
Research Your Vote:
Utilize ALL IN To Vote to help you research what elections are on the docket for your home state (e.g., Congressional, Gubernatorial, State level officials, ballot initiatives, and more). Check out the Ballotready resource to learn more about what issues, candidates, and initiatives you can help make decisions about in your community.
Check ID Requirements:
Some states require a copy of your ID with your ballot and each state has its own rules about what kinds of ID are acceptable. Visit VoteRiders to ensure that you have all the identification required. Finally, don’t forget to track your ballot if your state has implemented a tracking system. It will let you know when your ballot arrives and when it has been counted.
Obtain Postage:
Some election mail will come with prepaid postage so all that you have to do is fill it out and mail your ballot back, other states will require you to include postage. You can go to your campus post office, the grocery store, or utilize online platforms to order stamps. Additionally, some campuses may provide free stamps for students casting an absentee ballot.
Know your timeline:
Use ALL IN To Vote to know when your ballot must be postmarked by and when it must be received by. Make sure you take steps early to ensure your ballot gets back to the proper election officials on time. Some states such as Missouri and Oklahoma even require your absentee ballot to be notarized so acting swiftly and mailing your ballot early will ensure that your ballot counts!
Additional Resources
Election Protection Hotline
The national, nonpartisan Election Protection Coalition works year-round to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count.
National Association of Secretaries of State
Enables you to check your state’s rules backed by the national bipartisan group of Secretaries of State.
Vote.gov’s How to Guide
Additional guidance on your rights to vote as a college student including information on how your ballot can impact your residency.
USPS Locator
Provides information on your closest post office to obtain stamps and mail your ballot.
USPS Store
Utilize the USPS store to buy stamps online.