Election Day is just a couple weeks away, and the UC community is gearing up to make our voices heard at the polls. Before you cast your ballot, you first have to register to vote.
Registering is easy. But if you’re one of the millions of college students voting for the first time this year, it can be hard to know where to start.
We're answering some of the questions UC students most frequently ask about registering to vote.
Am I eligible to register to vote?
In general, you need to be 18 years old by Election Day and a U.S. citizen (in addition to some other requirements.)
Need to check if you qualify? See who can vote in California.
Not old enough to vote this year? If you live in California and you’re 16 or 17, you can pre-register. So the minute you do turn 18, you’ll be all set to vote.
How do I register to vote?
In California, you can register to vote online right here and it takes about five minutes. Voting in another state? Rock the Vote can get you started, no matter where you call home.
When do I need to register by?
In California, the last day to register online is Oct. 19. But if you miss that deadline, you can still vote. After Oct. 19, California voters can register at their county elections offices or use Same Day Registration on Election Day.
As a college student, should I use my school address to register, or my home?
You can pick either, even if your home is in a different state, and there’s no wrong answer. Just make sure it’s somewhere you can get to on Election Day if you’re voting in person, or receive a ballot if you’re voting by mail.
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.
I’m pretty sure I registered. Am I good to go?
It can’t hurt to check that your address is current and re-register if your address has changed.
Do I have to pick a political party?
No, and plenty of voters don’t. For some elections, like primaries to decide which candidates compete in a general election, your party preference dictates which candidates appear on your ballot. For general elections like the one coming up in November, your party preference makes no difference for your ballot.
Does registering to vote affect my financial aid or tuition?
Nope! The address you use to register will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans. If you’re an out-of-state student, you can register and vote in California, and it will not affect your state residency status when it comes to tuition.
Voter registration also has no bearing on your parents’ ability to claim you as a dependent on your FAFSA forms or their tax filing.
I’m all registered. Now what?
Nice! As long as you took care of that before Oct. 19, you’ll get a ballot in the mail if you registered in California. Officials will start shipping those in early October, so keep an eye out for a big envelope in your mailbox with this logo on it.
Want to be really prepared? In California, you can track your mail ballot’s journey online.
How can I help other students register to vote?
On campus, in their hometowns and across California, UC students are doing their part to keep our democracy strong. And every UC campus has its own office dedicated to making voting accessible for students. Contact your campus's voting lead below:
