REGISTER TO VOTE!

By Zoe Basulto

Streamlined Voting Resources

Are you at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen? How about a freshman turning 18 before November 3? If you answered yes to either question, then you are eligible to vote in the 2020 election! The election isn’t just important due to the presidential election, but many of your local officials are also on the ballot. 

Whether it’s being on campus instead of home or a result of COVID-19, you may be confused with how exactly you are going to vote. Below is a streamlined process with resources.

1. Make sure you are registered

Many states’ deadlines are quickly approaching, so stop what you are doing and make sure you are either already registered or register now. 

40 states and D.C. offer online voting registration (MT, WY, ND, SD, TX, AR, MS, OK, ME, NH require mail in registration). Online voting registration takes approximately 5 minutes. If your permanent residence is in one of the other 10 states, the below links will bring you to a form-print it out, fill it out, and mail to the address on the form (use your permanent home address to register-not college address). 

Scroll to your state using one of the links below and follow the simple prompts to register:

https://vote.gov/

https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-rules/

https://votesaveamerica.com/register/

Not sure if you are registered? Check below:

https://am-i-registered-to-vote.org/

2. Request absentee ballot

Some states are automatically sending ballots to all voters, whereas others require you to manually request one. Forms may ask your reason for requesting an absentee ballot and college students can check off being out of the county on Election Day (note: some states are also allowing to check off health reasons due to COVID). 

Important: When requesting an absentee ballot, make sure you send it to your college address!

Use the link below to check if your state requires you to request a ballot and, if you have to request one, if you can do it online or have to mail in an application: 

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/how-to-vote-2020/

https://www.rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/nationwide-voting-info/absentee-voting/

https://www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules/

3. Mail in your ballot

Once you receive your ballot, fill it out with blue or black ink. Many ballots will come with a return envelope that may require a signature. Add a stamp and send back your ballot ASAP to make sure it gets counted!

Don’t know how to send a letter from campus? 

The Cornell Store and the USPS store in Collegetown offer stamps and envelopes and will also mail out letters. 

Need to find a printer?

Create a net print account and use the link below to find one of the 180 printer locations on campus. https://it.cornell.edu/net-print/net-print-printer-locations

Other resources:

https://www.eac.gov/voters/register-and-vote-in-your-state

https://www.campusvoteproject.org/state-student-voting-guides

https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/students-and-first-time-voters/

https://www.rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/nationwide-voting-info/covid-19-voting-information/

https://ballotpedia.org/Online_voter_registration