You’re fired up about the issues at play this Election Day. You’ve read up on the candidates and you know which way you plan to vote. You don’t need anyone to tell you how powerful your vote is. But maybe you’re still a little hazy on the details of how to actually … cast your ballot?
Compared to the work you’re already putting in on classes, labs, reading and extracurriculars, voting is easy. But especially if you’re new to it, it’s totally normal to have questions. We asked UC students on social media what questions they have about voting in the Nov. 5 election and got tons of responses.
We delved into information provided by election experts like the California Secretary of State’s Office and our partners at Rock the Vote to get you the answers you need.
Okay, so first I need to register. Where do I start?
Start here by filling out some basic information. You’ll be directed to your state’s election website to finish registering. You can do it all online in about five minutes.
To register and vote in the upcoming general election, you’ll need to be 18 on Nov. 5, which is Election Day.
Not old enough to vote this year? If you live in California and you’re 16 or 17, you can pre-register here. So the minute you do turn 18, you’ll be all set to head out and vote in the next election.
As a college student, should I use my school address to register, or my home?
You can pick either one, and the choice is up to you. One way to decide? Consider where your vote will have the most impact on the races or issues you care about.
Is your UC campus in an area that’s pretty evenly split between the political parties? If so, using your college address to register and vote might make a bigger difference for the candidates you want to win.
Or maybe there’s an important local measure on the ballot in your hometown and you want the chance to weigh in on it. In that case, you’d want to register and vote using your family’s home address.
There’s no wrong answer, and in California, it’s easy to change your registration address before every election, so what you decide for November doesn’t lock you in for future elections.
Does registering to vote affect my financial aid or tuition?
Nope! Whether you register, or the address you use if you do register, will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans. And if you are attending UC as an out-of-state student, you can still choose to register and vote in California, knowing that it will not affect your state residency status when it comes to tuition.
Whether and where you register to vote also has no bearing on your parents’ being able to claim you as a dependent on your FAFSA forms or their tax filing.
When do I need to register by?
In California, the last day to register online is Oct. 21. But if you miss that deadline (relatable!), you can still vote. After Oct. 21, California voters can register at their county elections offices or use Same Day Registration on Election Day. Learn more about Same Day Voter Registration.
I’m all registered. Now what?
Nice! As long as you took care of that before Oct. 21, you’ll get a ballot in the mail if you registered in California. So just keep an eye out for a big, obvious envelope from the California Secretary of State’s office, which should arrive at least a week before Election Day.
You can fill out your ballot on your own time and drop it in any U.S. Postal Service mailbox, any official ballot drop box, or any official polling place, any time before polls close on Nov. 5. Postage is already paid.
Want to vote in person instead? Go for it. Bring your mail ballot to your polling place on Nov. 5, and a poll worker will swap you for a polling place ballot.
I got my ballot in the mail! And then … I lost it. Now what?
You have options. You can apply for a replacement, but you have to print off an application and mail it to your county’s election office. Or, you can go to the polls on Election Day and cast what’s called a provisional ballot: it’ll get counted like any other vote, once your county elections office has had the chance to confirm that you’re registered and that you didn’t submit a ballot by mail.
I’m registered in California, but I’m studying abroad this term. Can I get a ballot at my temporary address?
Yes! The easiest way to get that ballot mailed to you is to register to vote online by Oct. 21. The online registration form has two address sections: the first one is for your registration address, which has to be in California if you want to vote here. The second address section asks where you want your ballot mailed to. That should be somewhere you can get mail this fall, wherever you’re living. Then, just keep an eye out for that ballot envelope and get excited to fill it out and get it back in the mail by Nov. 5 at the latest.
Mail ballots have to be received back here in California by November 12 to ensure they get counted. If you’re worried your ballot won’t make it in time via mail, you might have other options. Learn more about voting while studying abroad and how to get assistance if you need it from the UC Education Abroad Program.
Will my campus have a polling place?
Every UC campus has ballot drop boxes, and some also have polling places where you can vote in person as well. Find out what’s closest to you.
I can register online … so can I vote online, too?
No. Some nations have introduced online voting, but the United States isn’t one of them. In California and across the U.S., every voter must cast a paper ballot. Thankfully, California makes it easy, with options for casting your vote by mail, at a secure ballot drop-box, at an early voting center, or at your polling place on Election Day.
I’m not eligible to vote in this election. Can I still get involved?
Absolutely. For starters, you may be able to sign up to work at the polls on Election Day. The job involves setting up and breaking down polling places, helping voters navigate the process and understand their rights, and keeping ballots secure. It’s fun, it’s vital to the democratic process, and best of all, it pays! (The amount varies by county.)
To work the polls as a UC student, you need to be a registered voter in California or a legal resident who would be eligible to vote if they were a U.S. citizen. Learn more or apply to work the polls.
You don’t have to join an organized group or take on a big-time commitment to make a difference this election season. If you’re not eligible to vote, talk to your friends who are about why their vote matters — not just to the country and your community, but to you.
Now that you’re informed, spread the word! What’s motivating you this election season? Help other UC students get inspired. Head to our UC Votes hub and share why voting matters to you.
