College Students and Voting

College students, who are eligible to vote, should think about their voting plan well ahead of the actual Election Day.

Students can register with a Deputy Registrar on the same day as they plan to vote or online with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The link to register online can be found here. If you use this option, please have your Illinois Driver’s License or ID card and the last four digits of your SSN available. By using this option, you will be required to show ID the first time you vote.

For nonpartisan, first-hand candidate information, please consider visiting VOTE411, where one can find information about the candidates running for office, including their returned answers to questions, links to candidate forums, the ability to print off a sample ballot, and confirm voting poll locations. Visiting a candidate’s website and social media channels can also provide first-hand information about where a candidate stands on issues important to you.

Due to the rise of mis/dis Information online and the advent of AI, it is important to check the source, look for evidence, and cross-reference information before assuming something is factual.

Students staying in state and voting using home address:

• Vote By Mail (VBM): Request a VBM ballot from your home county’s election division. This VBM ballot can be sent to your college address, no reason needed. Carefully follow all instructions for completion and return- making sure to sign as you did at registration and mailing the completed ballot far in advance (two weeks ahead suggested) of actual Election Day. If you would like to track your VBM ballot sign up BallotTrax on your county’s election division website.
• Vote In-Person during Early Voting: Counties begin early voting before Election Day at county election divisions and later at locations around the county.
• Vote In-Person on Election Day: Vote at your home polling place on Election Day from 6AM to 7PM.

Students staying in state but voting using school address:

• Students must first update their registration for the new address. See here to update your existing registration.
• Students may then use any of the three options listed above utilizing their school address. Note, your county reference may have changed- example: your home is in Naperville, DuPage County but you updated your voter registration address to your UIUC school address. You now must reference Champaign County’s election division for VBM requests and polling locations.

Students moving out of state:

• Out of state students who wish to vote using their home address may utilize VBM or plan to be home during Early Voting or on Election Day to vote in person. See more about these options above.
• Out of state students may wish to register to vote and vote using their out of state school address. Each state has legal authority over their elections, and therefore, each state may have differing registration requirements. Please visit VOTE411 and scroll down to the US map. Click on the desired state to learn about their registration requirements and voting particulars.

• DuPage County Elections
• Will County Elections
• 2026 State Board of Elections Student Voting Handbook