Voting FAQs

Should I register from my home address or my campus (or local) address? 

College students are permitted to register at their home address or their campus address. You might want to consider where it will be more convenient to vote, where you know more about the local political issues, and/or where you think your vote will have more impact. If you are registered at your parents’ address and then submit a registration form in the Bronx, your earlier registration will likely be cancelled. Of course, you are only permitted to vote once.

Am I eligible to vote? To vote in NYS, you must be: 

  • be a United States citizen
  • be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);
  • resident of this state and the county, city or village for at least 30 days before the election (Note: as a resident student you are considered a Bronx resident)
  • not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction 
  • not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere

Most states have similar requirements; check your state here.

For New York State Voters

How do I register? 
You can register online if you have a State ID, or you can print and fill out a mail-in form. 
Register to Vote Online 
Mail-in Voter Registration Form

I think I already registered. Or I’m wondering if they received my application. Am I registered and ready to vote? 
You can look yourself up here, and see if you are registered. 
Check Your Voter Registration Status

How can I vote? 
There are three ways to vote:

  1. Absentee ballot. If you will be away from home on Election Day, you may request an absentee ballot. Voters in NY may also request an absentee ballot to avoid exposure to COVID-19. Voters may fill out an absentee ballot application and check “temporary illness or physical disability” as the reason they are requesting an absentee ballot. If you want to vote absentee, the earlier you apply for a ballot, the better. Apply for an Absentee Ballot
  2. Early voting. New York will have Early Voting at select locations from October 24 to November 1. If you vote in another state, check here for early voting dates and locations. 
  3. Election Day voting. In New York, the polls are open on Election Day from 6 am to 9 pm. To find out where your polling site is, check here.

How To Vote In Other States

If your family home is in another state, you can register to vote in that state (or you may register at your campus address, if you prefer). You can find all the information you need to register & vote in your state from Rock the Vote.

  • Get Election reminders sent via text and email from Rock the Vote.
  • Learn more about the issues and candidates on the ballot with Vote411 via the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Stay Informed

  • Get Election reminders sent via text and email from Rock the Vote.

  • Look up your elected officials and candidates for office at Vote Smart: Facts Matter.

  • Learn more about the issues and candidates on the ballot with Vote411 via the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

  • Read -- from different, credible sources -- about the issues you care about

  • Think something is untrue? Check with Politifact.