Select your state:

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Step 1: Register to Vote

Voting Requirements

Things to Consider

Step 2: Select a Voting Method

Absentee Voting

The absentee voting process usually requires submitting an absentee request form, which can usually be submitted in person or through mail. The request has to be submitted by a deadline, which varies state by state. This is a good option for students who want to vote in their home state or county elections but cannot be home to vote during early voting dates or on Election Day.

You may vote by absentee ballot if:

Things to Consider

In-Person Early Voting

Early voting allows one to vote in person for several days before the actual general election date. This option is good for out-of-state students who want to vote in their home state/county's elections and have a way to get home during the lead-up to Election Day.

In-Person Election Day Voting

Election Day voting is typically associated with going to the physical polls, along with your neighbors, on one day, typically the last day votes can be counted. A few states do not offer in-person voting and instead use an all-mail election system (see Absentee Voting section).

In the next step, you can find your state’s election dates, deadlines, and polling places to prepare to vote on election day.

Step 3: Plan to Vote

Make a plan. Find your election dates, polling place information, and whether or not you need to bring an ID. Then, inform the teacher(s) whose class(es) you will miss that you are going to vote. Per section 4.1.3 of the USG's general Student Affairs policy, "A student whose class schedule would otherwise prevent him or her from voting will be permitted an excused absence for the interval reasonably required for voting."

Election Dates and Deadlines        Polling Place Locator        Voter ID Laws

Step 4: Vote

On election day, take a trip to the polls after reviewing your ballot and the candidates on it. BallotReady does not always have information on all states, but it does have more detailed information on specific candidates and policies to help you make your voting decisions. If you can't find a candidate on one of these websites, or the website's information and links do not give you enough to make a decision, please submit a request for information at our information request form, and we will attempt to submit improved information to these websites.

Ballotpedia Sample Ballot Lookup        BallotReady Sample Ballot Lookup

Learn About Your State's Government

Decisions concerning the federal level of government might get more attention nationwide, but state governments affect a large part of our everyday lives. Learn more about your state's government, your representatives, and current/past legislative sessions through your state's official legislative website.