A JWU Student’s Guide to Voting

As election season approaches, many students are preparing to vote for the first time. It can be overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! Johnson and Wales provides students with accessible resources to make this process less overwhelming.

By visiting the JWU Library’s website, members of the community can view easy steps to navigate the approaching election season. This can be found through JwuLink or on the library’s website by clicking here! For all registration and polling needs outside of campus, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) website is the place to go. The website features quick links for everything from absentee and early voting to ID requirement services. Voting information by state is offered through the links on NASS’s website.

For student-specific resources, the Campus Vote Project is available via the “General Voter Information” tab on the library’s page. If looking to register online, it can be done in less than five minutes if the student lives anywhere except: Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Mississippi, Arkansas, or New Hampshire. All other states and territories offer online registration.

The deadline for online registration is fast approaching so be sure to register before Oct. 6, 2024. Once registered, refer to the image below for information regarding identification requirements by state. Or, you may register in-person on election day at the poll box, Nov. 5, 2024. 

In the state of Rhode Island, only student IDs with expiration dates are permitted. 

If the student is registered to vote in a state that is not Rhode Island, they may be required to vote in one of several ways. How this works varies by states. Some require a ballot be requested and subsequently mailed in while others provide an online ballot. It’s important to research each state’s requirements in advance in order to account for lengthy voting processes.

More Resources for Students:

ALL IN To Vote – Quick and accessible step-by-step guide, FAQ, and information to help create a voting plan

Fair Elections Center – Student resources, articles, and guides to voting.

Register & Vote in Your State – United States Election Assistance Commission offers state-by-state guides. Once a state is selected, the website offers links to information regarding state election offices, directories, registration and updates to registration status, and more.