• Register to Vote
• Find your Polling Place
• Get Informed
• Make a Voting Plan

Voter Registration

• If you are a US citizen who will turn 18 before election day, you are eligible to vote!
• Voter registration deadlines and voting rules and regulations vary by state.
  • Check voter registration deadlines by state
  • Check voting rules and regulations by state
  • State and Local Election Offices (Search for you state to find specific information about deadlines, voting locations, and regulations)

Where Do I Go To Vote?

As a college student, figuring out where to register to vote and where/how to cast your vote can be a challenge. You should register to vote in the county/state of your permanent residence address. You do not gain or lose residence by attending college away from home. Answering the question, "Where is home?" may guide you in deciding where to register to vote and how to vote.  Once you determine, "where is home," you can find your polling place by contacting your local election commission office, or by checking this Find a Polling Place Link.

See the examples below to help you determine where you should register to vote and where to cast your vote.

Example 1

You grew up in Chattanooga/Hamilton County and attend UTC. You live on campus. When your dorm closes, you move back to your parents' or guardians' home in Hamilton County.

Since Chattanooga is home, register to vote using your parents' or guardians' address and either early vote or vote at your assigned polling location on Election Day. 

Example 2

You grew up in Memphis/Shelby County and attend UTC. You live on campus. When your dorm closes, you move back to your parents' or guardians' home in Memphis/Shelby County.

Since Memphis is home, register to vote using your parents' or guardians' address and Early Vote in Shelby County OR vote at your assigned polling location in Shelby County on Election Day OR request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. 

Note: If you register to vote online or by mail in Tennessee, you must vote in person the first time you vote. If you register in person with your local TN County Election Commission, you are not required to vote in person the first time you vote and have the option of voting by absentee ballot. Other states may have different rules related to absentee voting or voting by mail. You'll need to check voting rules by state.

Example 3

You grew up in Dalton, Georgia and attend UTC. You live on campus. When the dorm closes, you move back to your parent or guardians' home in Dalton.

Since Dalton is home, register to vote in Georgia using your parents' or guardians' Dalton address and familiarize yourself with the voting requirements in your county/state. More than likely, you will need to vote by absentee ballot while away at school, so contact your local election commission office for guidance (office associated with permanent residence address). 

Example 4

You grew up in Dallas, Texas and attend UTC. You live in an apartment in Chattanooga. You have registered your car in Chattanooga/Hamilton County, obtained a TN driver license, and list your apartment address on your tax returns.

Since you now consider Chattanooga home, register to vote in Chattanooga/Hamilton County using your apartment address and either early vote or vote at your assigned polling location on Election Day. 

Credit: Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. College Student Voter Registration. Accessed August 13, 2024.

Get to Know Your Candidates

• Take a look at candidates' campaign websites, social media, and interviews.
• Look at voter guides from your state's election website
• Look at a third-party, non-partisan websites like:
  • Ballotpedia - free online encyclopedia of American politics providing an overview of candidates' stances on key issues and allows you to view a sample ballot for upcoming elections. 
  • League of Women Voters Vote411 - Election information available in English and Spanish. Check your voter registration, find your polling place, learn about candidates, and more. Brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund.

Learn About Causes You Care About

If there is an issue you particularly care about, try looking for information about that specific issue.  Many non-profits and issue-specific organizations will publish voter guides or endorse candidates.

• Pew Research Center - The Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan think-tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. They conduct public opinion polling, demographic research, content analysis, and other data-driven science research. 
• Opposing Viewpoints (Mocs ID/PW Required) - An online database exploring opposing sides of the most important issues.
• News and Newspapers (Mocs ID/PW Required) - Check out local, national, and international newspapers for information and articles pertaining to issues important to you.
• Very Short Introductions (Mocs ID/PW Required) - Concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects. 

Watch the Debates and Check the Facts

This goes for more than just the Presidential Debates! Look up your local TV listings and find debates for local elections. Most are now streamed online. 

• FactCheck.org - Annenberg Political Factcheck is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center and "monitors the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players."
• AllSides Fact Check Bias - The AllSides Fact Check Bias  reveals the media bias of top fact checkers, such as Snopes, Politifact, FactCheck.org and more. It is a companion to the AllSides Media Bias Chart™, which helps you to easily identify different perspectives in the news so you can get the full picture and think for yourself.
• AFP Fact Check - A department within Agence France-Presse (AFP) and a multi-lingual, multicultural news agency whose mission is to provide accurate, balanced, and impartial coverage of news wherever and whenever it happens in the world. 

Check a Candidate's Voting Record

If a candidate has held elected office before, you can also check their past voting record. Try congress.gov for US senators and representatives or look up your state legislature.

Make a Plan for Voting

First time and seasoned voters all need a plan before casting their ballot. Make a plan and get prepared to go to the polls.

1. Check your registration status OR register to vote.
2. Decide how and where you are going to vote.
3. Make sure you jot down everything you might need to have with you at the poll so you can be prepared for a possible long line and inclement weather:
   1. Identification!!!
   2. Pen
   3. Bottle of water and snack
   4. Umbrella
   5. Folding camp chair
4. Learn more about voting machines and how they work.
5. Share your plan with others!
6. Vote