With Election Day approaching quickly on Nov. 5, NBN is here to answer any questions for your student voting needs. Read more below on how to register, how to request an absentee ballot or how and where to vote here in Evanston.
Voting information by state:
Voting laws vary by state and can be overly complicated. Select your state to learn about its requirements and deadlines.
Some states do everything online, while others do all registrations and requests by mail. But regardless of how you request a ballot, once you have it and fill it out, it must be mailed back. No state allows you to submit a ballot online.
Alabama
October 21
Registration Deadline
November 5
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 21
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 5 p.m. on Election Day
Alaska
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 26
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 26
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than 10 days after Election Day
Arizona
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 25
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
Arkansas
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the absentee ballot application and mail it to your county clerk. They must receive the application by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day
California
October 21
Registration Deadline
No deadline
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- All registered voters get sent a ballot in the mail automatically, but make sure to update your ballot address for this year.
- The ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received no later than 7 days after Election Day
Colorado
October 28
Registration Deadline
No deadline
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- All registered voters get sent a ballot in the mail automatically, but make sure to update your ballot address for this year.
Connecticut
October 29
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Delaware
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 31
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 31
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
District of Columbia
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 21
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 21
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received no later than 10 days after Election Day
Florida
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 24
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 24 at 5 p.m.
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
Note: Early voting dates may vary by county.
Georgia
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 25
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 25
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
Hawaii
October 25
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your county clerk (listed on the form). They must receive the application by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
Idaho
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 25
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 25
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Indiana
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 24
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 24
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 6 p.m. on Election Day
Iowa
October 21
Registration Deadline
October 21
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your county auditor . They must receive the application by Oct. 21
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Kansas
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the applicationfor an absentee ballot and mail it to your county clerk (listed on the form). They must receive the application by Oct. 29
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and recieved> by the elections office no later than three days after Election Day
Kentucky
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 22
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Requestan absentee ballot online by Oct. 22 at 11:59 p.m.
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 6 p.m. on Election Day
Louisiana
PASSED
Registration Deadline
November 1
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Nov. 1 at 4:30 p.m.
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by Nov. 3 at 4:30 p.m.
Maine
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 31
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Requestan absentee ballot online by Oct. 31
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Maryland
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Requestan absentee ballot online by Oct. 29
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the elections office no later than 10 days after Election Day
Massachusetts
October 26
Registration Deadline
October 26
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Requestan absentee ballot online by Oct. 26
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by Election Day
Michigan
October 21
Registration Deadline
October 21
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Requestan absentee ballot online by Oct. 21
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Minnesota
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Mississippi
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Call your circuit clerk’s office to request an application for an absentee ballot by Oct. 29
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the elections office no later than five days after Election Day
Missouri
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 23
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your election authority. They must receive the application by Oct. 23 at 5 p.m.
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
Montana
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your county clerk. They must receive the application by Oct. 29 at 12 p.m.
- Ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Nebraska
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 25
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and email it to your county election office by Oct. 25
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. CT on Election Day
Nevada
October 31
Registration Deadline
No deadline
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Call your county clerk office to request an application for an Absentee Elector’s Ballot by Oct. 22
- The ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the elections office no later than four days after Election Day
New Hampshire
October 23
Registration Deadline
October 23
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Call your county clerk to request a voter registration form and an absentee ballot application by Oct. 23
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 5 p.m. on Election Day
New Jersey
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your county clerk by Oct. 29
- The ballot must be postmarked by 8 p.m. Election Day and received by the elections office no later than six days after Election Day
New Mexico
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 22
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 22
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
New York
October 21
Registration Deadline
October 21
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 21
- The ballot must be postmarked> by Election Day and received> by the elections office no later than seven days after Election Day
North Carolina
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 29
- The ballot must be postmarked by Election Day
North Dakota
N/A
Registration Deadline
Special Rules: There is no voter registration; all eligible residents may vote
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- North Dakota does not require voter registration
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 29
- The ballot must be postmarked by the day before Election Day
Ohio
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your county clerk . They must receive the application by Oct. 29
- The ballot must be postmarked one day before Election Day and received no later than four days after Election Day
Oklahoma
PASSED
Registration Deadline
PASSED
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Oregon
PASSED
Registration Deadline
No deadline
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the application for an absentee ballot and mail it to your county elections office
- The ballot must be postmarked> by Election Day and received> by the elections office no later than seven days after Election Day
Pennsylvania
October 21
Registration Deadline
October 21
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by Oct. 21
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Rhode Island
PASSED
Registration Deadline
PASSED
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
South Carolina
October 22
Registration Deadline
October 22
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Call your county voter registration office to request an absentee ballot application by Oct. 22
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day
South Dakota
October 21
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out a voter registration form and absentee ballot application and mail it to your county auditor. They must receive the voter registration form by Oct. 21 and absentee ballot application by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by Election Day
Tennessee
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the absentee ballot application and mail it to your county elections commission. They must receive the application by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot> by 7 p.m. on Election Day
Texas
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 25
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Call your county clerk office to request an application for an absentee ballot by Oct. 25
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked> by 7 p.m. Election Day and received by the elections office no later than 5 p.m. the day after Election Day
Utah
October 25
Registration Deadline
No deadline
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- All voters get sent a ballot in the mail automatically, but make sure to update your ballot address for this year by Oct. 25
- Ballot must be postmarked by the day before Election Day
Vermont
N/A
Registration Deadline
Special Rules: Must include a copy of an acceptable ID that verifies your residency
October 29
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- All voters get sent a general election ballot in the mail automatically, but make sure to update your ballot address for this year by Oct. 29
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by Nov. 3
Virginia
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 25
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by 5 p.m. on Oct. 25
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and recieved> by the elections office no later than three days after Election Day at 12 p.m.
Washington
October 28
Registration Deadline
No deadline
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- All voters get sent a ballot in the mail automatically. Call your county elections department to request a temporary address change
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day
West Virginia
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 30
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out the absentee ballot application and email it to your county clerk’s office by Oct. 30
- The absentee ballot must be postmarked by Election Day and received by the start of canvass (5 days after Election Day)
Wisconsin
PASSED
Registration Deadline
October 31
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Request an absentee ballot online by 5 p.m. on Oct. 31
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day
Wyoming
October 22
Registration Deadline
November 7
Vote-by-Mail Request Deadline
Vote-by-Mail Requirements:
- Fill out a voter registration form and an absentee ballot application and mail it to your county clerk’s office (listed on the form). They must receive these by Oct. 22
- The elections office must receive the absentee ballot by 7 p.m on Election Day
Voting in Illinois:
If you cannot register to vote or request an absentee ballot at home – or if you just don’t want to – no worries! You can vote right here in Illinois.
How to register:
Cook County has same-day registration, meaning you can show up to your polling location on Election Day, register and vote immediately after. You will need two pieces of identification to register. While a photo ID isn’t required, one of the documents must include your address. Your student or employee ID is a valid form of ID and can be used to register. For students from out of state that need to prove their residency, you can bring a utility bill in your name, a lease/ rental contract or mail postmarked to your name.
You can find your polling location by inputting your dorm or off-campus address here (you cannot just show up to any polling place).
Some polling places near Northwestern:
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line at 7 p.m. but haven’t voted yet, stay in line. They are legally required to let anyone who is in line at the time of closing vote.
Early voting:
If you’re busy on Election Day or want to get voting out of the way, you can vote in Evanston starting Oct. 21 until Nov. 3 at the Evanston Civic Center. Operating hours vary, so check out the times before heading over.
What if I’m from Illinois, but live far away?
If you’re from Illinois and would rather not travel home to vote, you can request a mail ballot online by Oct. 31. You can submit your absentee ballot by mail or you can drop it off at the Evanston Civic Center ballet box between Oct. 21 and Nov. 4.