Get Registered

Voting as a Student

Here you will find everything you need to know to become a registered voter and to make sure your voice is heard on election day. Check out the FAQs below to find out more about when, where, and how to both register and vote. When you're ready, you can begin your voter registration process by clicking the state where you want to register to vote on the map on the right.

Who Can Register To Vote?

You can register to vote in the United States if you are:

A United States Citizen
Will be 18 years of age or older on Election Day
Not currently imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony
Not found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law.

You may register to vote in California if you are a resident of California. Students attending university in California may register to vote in either California or their home state (but not both!).

Should I Register to Vote in My Home State or Here in California?

It's up to you!

Students can choose to register at their campus housing or off-campus housing address if they plan on returning there after a temporary absence (like Summer Vacation). This will allow you to have a say in important state and local issues that will affect you while you are living in California.

On the other hand, you may choose to register at your home address in California or another state if you maintain that address as your permanent address and want to keep a say in politics at home! If you are registered at your home address, you should consider requesting a vote-by-mail ballot, and making sure that you can receive a vote-by-mail ballot from your home state. The map on the right can help you explore that.

How Do I Register to Vote?

You can register to vote in Los Angeles County, request vote by mail, and receive your e-sample ballot at LAVOTE.net.

To register to vote in another state, click on your home state in the map on the right!

When Do I Need to Register?

In California, the deadline to register to vote is 15 days before Election Day. That is May 23 for the June Primary Election.

I'm Registered at Home. How do I Vote?

You can vote in your home state by requesting a vote-by-mail or "absentee" ballot. Find out when your home state elections are and request an absentee ballot here. Click on your home state on the map on the right to register to vote at home.

I'm Registered in California. How do I Vote?

If you are registered to vote in California you can vote in one of three ways:

Vote at your polling place: Polling place information is found on the back of your Sample Ballot. You can also find your LA County polling place online here. When you get to the polling place, poll workers will give you your ballot and will be available to help as necessary.
Vote By Mail: You can apply to vote by mail using the application on the back of your Sample Ballot or online at LAvote.net. Vote By Mail ballots must be requested 7 days prior to the election. You can mail your ballot to your county elections official (the address will be printed on your ballot). Ballots must be postmarked on or before election day. You can also drop off your Vote By Mail ballot in person at any polling place on election day.
Vote Early: Voters registered in LA County may vote up to 29 days before Election Day during business hours at the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk office at 12400 Imperial Highway, Norwalk, CA 90650, room 3002. The Registrar's office is also open on weekends beginning 14 days before Election Day.

When Do I Vote?

This year's California Primary for both state and federal elections is Tuesday, June 7. The fall 2016 Presidential Election will be Tuesday, November 8. You can find information about election dates in other states here.