For many students, their first opportunity to vote will occur during college. And most will take advantage of that fact. Researchers at Tufts found that the college student voting rate in 2020 was a historic high of 66%. Though student voting declined in 2022, many think that we’ll see increased presence at the polls in November. Young people arriving on campus may wonder how to best approach the voting process. Can you vote at school instead of at home? What about absentee ballots? Or study abroad? Don’t fear! We’ve created this guide to make sure you’re ready to make your voice heard in the fall.
How to Vote if You are Away at College
Determining if You’re Eligible to Vote
In order to successfully cast a ballot in an election, you must be eligible to vote. This means you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be 18 on or before election day.
- Register to vote by your state’s registration deadline.
- Meet your state’s residency requirements (we’ll get into what this means for college students, specifically, below).
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You cannot vote in an election if:
- You are not a citizen, including legal residents.
- You have a felony conviction in some states. However, if you reside in Vermont, Maine, and Washington, D.C., you can still vote.
- For the general presidential election only: you are a U.S. citizen residing in a U.S. territory.
Voting in Your Home State
If you plan to vote in your home state, you should complete the following steps:
- Register to vote using your home address.
- If you’re going to be away at school during the election, see if you’re eligible to vote in your home state using an absentee ballot. The rules are different for every state, so check here to see if you can vote via mail. After submitting your absentee ballot, track it online to ensure it’s received.
- If you plan to vote in-person in your home state, locate your nearest polling place ahead of time.
Voting in Your School State
For those asking, “can college students vote where they go to school?,” here are the steps to determine whether you’re eligible to vote in your college town:
- Look up your state’s residency requirements. You usually have to live in your college town for a certain number of days to be eligible. Many states use the six-month rule to determine residency, so if you live on campus throughout the school year, there’s a good chance you’re eligible.
- If you are eligible, you can use the address of your college accommodation to register to vote or update your current voter registration.
Can I Register to Vote at Home and at School?
Many students spend the school year on campus and summer at home. This begs the question, can you register to vote in two places? Unfortunately, the answer is no. If you register to vote in multiple locations, you’re committing voter fraud. Additionally, keep in mind that you need to update your voter registration if you move to a different address or transfer to a new school. Each state has its own process for updating registration, so be sure to follow the specific guidelines for your state.
Do College Students Vote in Their Home State?
Most students will have the option of voting either in their home state or their school state. Some questions to determine which option is best for you:
- Is one location easier to access than the other? Consider whether you’d have to travel home to vote, or whether you trust yourself to obtain and send an absentee ballot.
- Are you more passionate about local politics in one location? Your vote helps shape the future of state and city policies. Are there particular politicians or issues in one area that you want to weigh in on?
How to Vote if You are Away at College? (Continued)
- What are the political demographics of each place? Some voters, if they have the option, prefer to vote in a swing state or a state where their political party is the minority faction. They feel this gives their individual vote more weight.
Voting During Study Abroad
If you’re currently attending school outside of the US, you can still vote. Request your ballot online to get started. Just be aware that you’ll have to print out your ballot and mail it.
Registering to Vote
If you haven’t already registered to vote, you’ll want to complete the process as soon as possible. Here’s how:
- Check Registration Deadlines: Each state has different deadlines for voter registration. Some are as far out as 30 days before the election, while others allow you to register up to and on Election Day. Find your deadline here.
How to Vote if You are Away at College? (Continued)
- Register Online: Many states offer online voter registration. Look up your state to see if online registration is offered.
- Register by Mail: The National Mail Voter Registration Form is available to residents of all states except New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
- Register In-Person: You can register to vote at your state and local elections office or at the DMV.
Voting Early
Early voting can be an appealing option for students. Instead of going to the polls on Election Day, you can vote in the days prior. This way you have more choice when choosing when to cast your vote. The polls are usually less crowded on these days, too.
Though most states offer early voting, the early voting period varies state by state. Look up your closet polling location to determine its daily hours and overall schedule.
Make a Voting Day Plan
Each state has its own set of election laws and regulations. Familiarize yourself with the local rules where you’re registered to vote and make a plan for getting to your polling location. This includes understanding:
- Polling Places: Find out where your polling place is located and the hours it will be open on Election Day.
- Transportation: Will you be getting to the polls by public transportation, car or on foot? Map out the best route to reach your polling place to avoid any unnecessary confusion on Election Day. This is also a great opportunity to carpool or head over with friends.
How to Vote if You are Away at College? (Continued)
- Identification Requirements: Before heading to the polls, determine what form of ID your state requires in order to vote. Some places require photo identification like a driver’s license, while others will accept a document that shows your name and address, like a bank statement.
- Timing: If you’re voting on Election Day, anticipate a wait at the polls. Instead of trying to vote between classes or commitments, plan to vote when your schedule is open.
Stay Informed About the Candidates and Issues
Voting is a chance to participate in our country’s future. Research the ballot before arriving so that you feel confident voting for candidates and measures that align with your values. Colleges often have robust political scenes—consider checking out a student group to discuss concerns that matter to you. Here are some ways to ensure you’re prepared:
- Watch the Debates: Both the presidential candidates and vice presidential candidates typically participate in televised debates. Tune in to hear the nominees speak about their stance on issues that are important to you.
- Read the Ballot Ahead of Time: Find your local ballot online or have a copy emailed to yourself. It’s likely that you won’t only be voting for the president on November 5th. You’ll also be able to cast your vote for other local representatives. Look up the candidates before voting to determine the right decision for you.
At the Polls
Each state has different rules on what is and isn’t allowed in the voting area. Check your state laws to ensure you’re prepared when you show up. Potential restrictions include:
- Cellphones in the voting booth. If you want to refer to notes on who or what to vote for, you’ll have to write it down on a piece of paper.
- Apparel referencing a candidate or partisan issues. Avoid wearing clothing or accessories that include a candidate’s likeness or invoke ballot questions.
- Giving someone in line food or water. This particular prohibition is so controversial that the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm revolved around it. While offering voters drinks or snacks isn’t illegal in most states, check your local laws to be sure.
Voting Accommodations
Voting is a legal right for American citizens. Accordingly, all eligible voters should receive the necessary accommodations to cast their ballots. Here are accessibility measures to keep in mind:
- All polls are required to have at least one accessible voting machine. If you can’t locate the machine or require further assistance, ask a poll worker for support. You also have the right to vote privately and bring someone to help you vote.
- Some states offer curbside voting. Check your state or local election office to see if curbside voting is an option. If it is, a poll worker will bring the necessary voting materials to your car.
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- Most polling stations must offer translated ballots. Asian, Spanish, Native American and Alaska Native languages are among the legally covered languages. The lack of translation required for Arabic and Creole has been a point of controversy.
Watching the Results
One of the most exciting parts of figuring out how to vote in college is seeing the election play out afterward. Many student clubs and organizations are likely to offer watch parties as the voting results are tallied. Joining friends to view the election’s outcome is a great way to celebrate participating in our country’s democracy.