Voter Registration Q&A
Why is the College involved with voter registration?
The 1998 reauthorization of the federal Higher Education Act includes a requirement that higher education institutions make a "good faith effort" to make mail voter registration forms available to all enrolled students.
Am I eligible to register to vote?
In order to register to vote you must be a citizen of the United States and at least 18 years of age at the time of the next election.
As a college student living away from home, where should I register?
You may register to vote either at your college address or at your hometown or parent's address. If you register at your hometown address and want to vote while attending college, you must remember to request an absentee ballot at least 30 days before the election. Check with the state election board for the exact deadline.
I live in a residence hall and use a MSC address. What is the correct way to complete the registration form?
See http://www.lclark. edu/dept/mailsrv/ for the correct way to address mail to Lewis & Clark students.
How do I register to vote?
Voter registration forms are available year-round at various campus locations, including the Office of Student Life, the Mail Room, Watzek Library, and the Graduate Registrar's Office. At the Law School, registration forms are available on the table across from the Registrar's Office.
Students can also get registration forms online:
What if I want to register to vote in another state?
Students wishing to register to vote in states other than Oregon will fill out an application and mail it to the Secretary of State office for voter registration in that particular state. Here are a couple of Web sites that provide forms and instructions for completing this process:
Your Vote Matters -An initiative of the American Library Association. Fill in your voter information online as prompted by this site to register to vote in any states except New Hampshire, North Dakota and Wyoming. (But see the information on the website about these 3 states.) At the end, you will be able to print out your completed voter registration form, and you will be told exactly where to mail it and when it must be received. The site even sends you email reminders to make sure you remember to mail your registration in.
National Voter Registration Guide and Form - A link to a PDF form and instructions (totaling 33 pages). This form cannot be filled out online. This is a voter registration form that is accepted in all states except New Hampshire, North Dakota and Wyoming. Includes registration deadlines and other voting information for all states.
When is the last day I may register to vote for an election?
In Oregon, the deadline to register to vote in an election is 21 days before the election. However, an eligible citizen may register to vote at any time. Check registration deadlines for other states.
How will I find out where to go to vote?
In Oregon, your ballot packet will automatically be mailed to you 18 to 14 days before the election. Your vote-by-mail ballot must be received by your county elections office by election day - postmarks do not count. County elections offices are open from 7 am to 8 pm on election day, and drop boxes will be located around your community.
In many other states, you'll receive a registration card, which should include the address of your polling place. If you do not receive the information in the mail, call your local election office.
What about voting by absentee ballot?
Students registered in states other than Oregon who do not plan on traveling to the state they are registered in to cast their ballot must vote by absentee. You must fill out an application to have an absentee ballot sent to you. Applications for absentee voting are available through the Secretary of State's Office (most make them available on the Secretary of State's Web site).
For a quick link to the Secretary of State's office for your state, go to: Your Vote Matters and choose the link at the bottom for "Frequently Asked Questions." Then go to question 9, "How do I get an absentee ballot?" Then follow the link to get to the contact information for all the Secretaries of States.
Where do I go if I would like help with getting registered or getting an absentee ballot?
Student volunteers working with the New Voters Project will be available to assist you with Oregon registration. Look for these volunteers around campus (they're the ones with clipboards asking if you want to register to vote). They're often at tables in Templeton or in front of Watzek Library. They plan to visit classes and other campus events as well.
For help registering outside of Oregon or getting an absentee ballot, come to the Watzek Library Reference Desk or ask a librarian by phone, email or chat!
When is it necessary to reregister to vote?
You need to reregister if you move, change your name, wish to change political party affiliations or if your signature has changed.
In Oregon, if you are re-registering and you were previously registered in Oregon, you may re-register up until the day of the election.
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Voter Registration
