Frequently Asked Questions by Student Voters

Voting is a complex system that varies from state to state, but has federal guarantees. Students frequently have questions. Look below for answers to some of the most common questions. As always, don't hesitate to contact your county registrar of voters, Secretary of State, www.feministcampus.org/vote , or FMF Campus Organizer for answers to questions that you may not find below.

Q : Can I register to vote where I go to school?

A : YES. Absolutely. The U.S. Supreme Court has said you have the right to register and vote where you are in school, even if you do not intend to reside there permanently. Depending on the state, certain identification is required when you register to vote the first time. Your Social Security number or a driver's license number should be sufficient. You may also be able to use your college ID card or other picture ID for verification. You can also use a recent utility bill or bank statement as proof of your current street address.

You DO NOT need an in-state driver's license or state-issued photo ID in order to register to vote where you attend college, except in Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri; in these three states and in Arizona, which requires a birth certificate or state-issued ID, the voter registration ID laws are being challenged as unconstitutional burdens on the right to vote.

Q: Will my financial aid or student loans be affected if I register to vote at an address different from my parents'?

A: NO. Absolutely NOT . Where you register and vote has NOTHING to do with your parents' permanent residence or your qualification for scholarships or student loans. Students are often told they will risk their financial aid if they register at their school address, but don't be misled.

Q : Should I register at my parents' home address and vote by absentee ballot?

A : It Depends. We always urge students to register to vote where they will be living on Election Day so there is no chance of missing the opportunity to vote. You have a vested interest in voting where you go to school, live, and spend nine months (or more) out of the year. Local politics around your campus will affect you in your time at college or university. Although you can vote by absentee ballot, you shouldn't rely on your parent(s) remembering to send your application for an absentee ballot or risk requesting an absentee ballot too late. Make your vote count in the state where you live.

However, if the ID requirements for voter registration that have been imposed by some states (see Question 1) keep you from registering where you go to college, then by all means register at your parents' home address and vote by absentee ballot. And remember to report any problems you encounter with registering at your college address to the Feminist Majority Foundation.

Q : Can a P.O. Box be used for the address on the voter registration form?

A: NO. A voter must use a physical street address in order to register to vote. This is so that election officials can assign the newly registered voter to a voting precinct. If the student lives in a dorm, the name of the dorm and street address of the dorm must be used on the registration form. A P.O. Box can be used as the mailing address where voting materials and sample ballots will be sent.

Q. W hat kind of ID will I need to show when I go to vote on Election Day?

A. T he Feminist Majority Foundation advises you to bring two forms of proof of your identification and current address, like a voter registration card, Social Security card, driver's license, student or picture ID with your current address. State officials are also supposed to accept a recent local utility bill or bank statement as proof of your current address.

Q: What do I do if I registered to vote and for some reason my name is not on the roster at my polling place when I go to vote on Election Day ?

A: Demand a provisional ballot and vote. According to federal law, you are guaranteed a provisional ballot. If the election is close, the state is required to verify and count all provisional ballots. So make sure your voice is heard by demanding a provisional ballot.