VOTING IS A CORNERSTONE
of civic engagement.
That’s why NU Votes exists to help students get registered, get educated, and get to the polls. We’re cultivating a commitment to active citizenship, one student at a time.
Voter Services
Have Questions or Need Help?
The NU Votes staff and student team is standing by! Email nuvotes@northwestern.edu.
Or stop in to our drop-in hours via Zoom or in person at the Center for Civic Engagement, where you can register to vote, check or update your registration, or request or return an absentee ballot for all 50 states, plus access resources like envelopes, stamps, and copies of IDs, and get all of your registration and voting questions answered (Bring a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number).
Just need help with printing and mailing? Check out NU Votes’ tips and resources, whether you’re on or off campus.
Upcoming Events
NU Votes organizes voter registration, education, and turnout efforts, and works with a variety of campus partners to support and promote election-related programming throughout the season.
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Wildcat Welcome
Friday, September 21st
8am – 5pm Welcome Centers – 560 Lincoln, Allison, Elder, Sargent & Willardin collaboration with the Office of New Student & Family Programs
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Voting 101 & Voter Services Events
Sun, Sept 20th @ 5pm–5:30pm CDT
Mon, Sept 21st @ 5pm–5:30pm CDT
Tues, Sept 22nd @ 7pm–7:30pm CDT
Fri, Sept 25th @ 2pm–2:30pm CDT
Wed, Sept 30th @ 7pm–7:30pm CDT
ZoomFirst time voting in a presidential election? Unsure what voting will look like during COVID-19? Want to vote in November, but not sure where to start? Our NU Votes team will offer an overview of the voting process, and then walk you through our new online tools. You will be able to register to vote, check or update your registration, and/or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail during the session, and will leave prepared to vote this fall! Bring a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
Note: Monday’s event is co-sponsored by the Southwest Area, Tuesday’s event is co-sponsored by the North Area, and Wednesday’s event is co-sponsored by Northwestern Athletics.
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Stop in to NU Votes Drop-In Hours on Zoom to get 1-on-1 support with registering to vote, checking or update your registration, or requesting an absentee ballot, and get answers to all of your voting questions. Bring your driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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In-Person Drop-In Hours
Monday November 2nd
2pm–4pm CDT 1813 Hinman in EvanstonStop in to NU Votes Drop-In Hours at the Center for Civic Engagement (1813 Hinman Ave in Evanston) to get 1-on-1 support with registering to vote, checking or update your registration, or requesting an absentee ballot, and get answers to all of your voting questions. Bring your driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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In-Person Drop-In Hours
Tuesday, September 28th & Thursday, September 30th
12pm–4pm 1813 HinmanIn honor of National Voter Registration Day, stop in to NU Votes Drop-In Hours at the Center for Civic Engagement at 1813 Hinman Ave in Evanston. Get 1-on-1 support with registering to vote, checking or updating your registration, or requesting an absentee ballot, and get answers to all of your voting questions. Bring your driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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Spring Quarter Drop-In Hours
Tuesdays & Thursdays
1pm–4pm 1813 HinmanWant to vote in a 2022 Primary Election? Stop in to NU Votes Drop-In Hours at the Center for Civic Engagement at 1813 Hinman Ave in Evanston! Get 1-on-1 support with registering to vote, checking or updating your registration, or requesting or returning a vote-by-mail ballot, and get answers to all of your other voting questions. Bring your driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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Voter Services Station
Mon, Sept 28th – Fri, Oct 2nd
12pm–4pm (daily)
Outside the Jacobs Center (Foster & Sheridan), Evanston CampusVisit the NU Votes Voter Services Station in person to register to vote, check or update your registration, request an absentee ballot, access other resources like printing, copying, mailing, and get answers to all of your voting questions. Bring your driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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Voter Registration Station
Monday, September 13
1pm–3pm TGS Resource Fair at NorrisVisit our Voter Registration Station at the Center for Civic Engagement booth at The Graduate School’s In-Person Resource Fair. The fair will take place Monday, September 13 from 1–3pm in the Louis Room on the second floor of Norris University Center. NU Votes staff will have everything you need to register to vote or update your voter registration to your local address here in Illinois, or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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Voter Registration Station
Friday, September 17
11am–1pm & 2pm–3pm New & Transfer Student Resource Fairs at NorrisVisit our Voter Registration Station at the Center for Civic Engagement booth at New & Transfer Student Resource Fair. The fairs will take place Friday, September 17 from 11am–1pm and 2pm–3pm in the Louis Room on the second floor of Norris University Center. NU Votes staff will have everything you need to register to vote or update your voter registration to your local address here in Illinois, or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.
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Voter Services Station & Trips to the Polls
Mon, Oct 26th – Fri, Oct 30th
2pm–4pm (daily)
Outside the Jacobs Center (Foster & Sheridan), Evanston CampusVisit the NU Votes Voter Services Station in person for support with early or mail-in voting. Pick up stamps to mail your ballot, access copying and notary services, and get answers to all of your last minute voting questions. NU Votes Ambassadors will lead walking trips to the Evanston Civic Center every half hour for early voting or mail ballot drop offs. If you still need to register and vote in Evanston, bring two forms of ID (proof of identity and proof of address).
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Voter Van
Wednesday–Friday, March 11th–13th
1pm - 5pm Norris University CenterTake the Voter Van to the Evanston Civic Center to cast your Illinois Primary ballot during early voting!
Or visit the Evanston Civic Center (2100 Ridge) on your own any day through March 16th, Monday–Friday 9am–7pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm.
You can register to vote or update your registration in Evanston at the same time – bring two forms of ID (one that establishes your identity and one that shows your current address).
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Last chance to vote in person or return your mail ballot!
On Election Day, you must vote at your local polling place. If you live on campus, north campus votes at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center (927 Noyes St), and south campus votes at the Hilton Garden Inn (1818 Maple Ave). If you live off campus or out of state, find your polling place. In Illinois, polls are open from 6am–7pm.
In 20 states, including Illinois, you can register to vote or update your registration on Election Day. Bring TWO forms of ID, proof of identity and proof of address.
If you still need to return your mail-in ballot, bring it to a secure ballot drop box or to deliver it in person. Find drop box locations for Suburban Cook County or Chicago, or check out the ballot return options for your state. Illinois accepts mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day. If you’re voting elsewhere, check your state’s deadlines. If you need to secure a postmark, bring your ballot directly to a post office.
Online Tools
In some cases, students can complete most or all of the registration process online, depending on the state in which you are registering. However, each state’s registration process is different and many require additional elements (printed and signed forms, copies of ID’s, notarizing, etc.). Likewise, almost every state requires printed forms for absentee requests. Because of this, we encourage you to take advantage of in-person voter registration where you can be sure to complete the process fully & accurately and get any questions answered.
If you prefer to proceed on your own, the links below will get you started. If the submission of paper forms or any other steps are required, NU Votes can assist you with elements like printing, stamps, and mailing. Please visit CCE or an in-person voter registration event for assistance.
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Find out if you are registered.
Can't remember if or where you are registered to vote or want to double check?
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Register or update your registration.
Register to vote for the first time or change or update your voter registration.
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Request an absentee ballot.
If you will not be able to vote in person or prefer to vote by mail, you may need to request an absentee ballot.
Questions? Email nuvotes@northwestern.edu or access live support.
Skip straight to a specific tool: Check Your Registration | Register to Vote | Request an Absentee Ballot | Printing & Mailing Help