At Regis, we believe it is everyone's civic duty to participate in local, state and federal elections, and your voice matters now more than ever. As a college student, we know the process can be confusing. So whether you're voting for a presidential candidate, state ballot measure or city council position, we hope to provide you with the resources you need to become an educated voter and make your voice heard.
First-time voter? Make sure you're registered! In order to participate in the election, you must be registered to vote at your current address. Tip: If you live on campus, you can use your school address to register to vote in Colorado! You can also use this link to update your Colorado voter registration if you have moved since the last election.
If you're registered to vote and won't be able to physically submit a ballot on election day, you may be able to request a mail-in or absentee ballot. Many states offer mail-in ballots, however, regulations and processes vary by state. Use the link above to see details about mail-in voting in your state.
Not sure if you're registered?
A lot can happen in between elections. If you're not sure whether you're registered to vote, or if your registration is up to date, it doesn't hurt to check!
Here are some common reasons your voter registration may need to be updated:
Moved permanently to a new state? You'll need to submit a new registration in your new state.
The President isn't the only thing you're voting for! State and local positions and policies are also on your ballot this fall. Make sure you're informed, educated and ready to vote for what you believe in.
The Electoral College is a unique aspect of the American Presidential Election. Each state is represented by "electors," and each elector casts one electoral vote for the President and Vice President. In order to win the election, presidential candidates must achieve the majority of electoral votes (at least 270).
Voting - and the right to vote - are core to our American values. Whether it's hosting a voter registration drive or volunteering at the polls, the following organizations are just a few that offer resources and volunteer opportunities.
In Colorado, you are NOT required to show proof of citizenship when voting. Since your citizenship was affirmed when you registered, proof of citizenship is unnecessary when you vote. Registered voters in Colorado ARE required to present ID when voting in-person (and sometimes when voting by mail). Check out the list of acceptable forms of identification to make sure you are prepared on election day. Keep in mind: if you show an ID that has an address on it, the address must be in Colorado but it does not have to match your voter registration.
If you are voting outside of Colorado, be sure to research the voter ID requirements in your state.
Yes! As a student, you can register to vote at your school address – even if you live in a dorm room. If your mail is delivered to a Post Office (P.O.) box you can sign an affidavit (or, in some cases, get a letter from the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life) asserting that you live at your dorm address.
While you’ll need to provide an address when you register to vote (this is used for things like assigning your voting districts), registrants experiencing homelessnessomeless can list a shelter address or the address where you sleep most often, like a street corner or park address. Check out Nonprofit Vote for more information on voting and homelessness.
Nope, you don’t have to answer everything. You can vote on as many or as few measures and positions as you like, but we definitely encourage you to do your research on each question and voice your opinion! If you’re not sure what is on your ballot, Ballotpedia can be a great resource, among others.
If you are voting in-person, typically you must go to a polling location within the county in which you are registered. If you go to a polling place outside your county, they will not have your name on the list of voters. Plan ahead and find your polling place here.
If you are at the correct polling location and are not on the list of registered voters, you can still cast what is called a "provisional ballot." Ask the poll worker for a provisional ballot, and after the polls close the state will check on the status of your voter registration and whether or not your ballot is valid. The state must notify you as to whether your ballot was counted.
Most, if not all, election divisions have a way for you to check online to see if your ballot was counted. In Colorado, you can look up your voter record through the Secretary of State's website. If you are registered and voted in another state, we recommend contacting your local election office.