NUVotes

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 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.

• Voter Services at Wildcat Welcome

  Tuesday, September 17
  9am – 5pm Welcome Center at Norris

  NU Votes will offer comprehensive voter services for incoming undergraduate students at the Welcome Center at move-in, in partnership with the Office of Student Transition Experiences. Our staff can help you register to vote for the first time, change or update your voter registration (to your campus/local address or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S.), and/or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.

• 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
  Zoom

  First 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.

• Remote Drop-In Hours

  Tuesday, November 3rd
  10am–12pm CST Zoom

  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.

• In-Person Drop-In Hours

  Tuesday, September 28th & Thursday, September 30th
  12pm–4pm 1813 Hinman

  In 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.

• Primary Election Drop-In Hours

  Fridays thru March 8
  12pm–4pm 1813 Hinman

  Stop in to NU Votes Drop-In Hours at the Center for Civic Engagement at 1813 Hinman Ave. Get 1-on-1 support with registering to vote, checking or updating your voter registration (to your campus/local address or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S.), or requesting an absentee ballot to vote by mail, and more. Plus get answers to all of your voting questions. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.

• Voter Services Station

  Mon, Sept 28th – Fri, Oct 2nd
  12pm–4pm (daily)
  Outside the Jacobs Center (Foster & Sheridan), Evanston Campus

  Visit 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.

• Voter Services for Medical Students

  Thursday, August 1
  9:45am Lurie Biomedical Research Center

  NU Votes will offer comprehensive voter services for incoming medical students, in partnership with the Feinberg School of Medicine. Our staff can help you register to vote, change or update your voter registration (to your local address here in Illinois or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S.), and/or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.

• Voter Services at TGS Orientation

  Thursday, September 19
  2pm – 4pm TGS Resource Fair at Norris

  NU Votes will offer comprehensive voter services for incoming graduate students at The Graduate School’s Resource Fair. The fair will take place Thursday, September 19 from 2–4pm on the second floor of Norris University Center. Our staff can help you register to vote, change or update your voter registration (to your campus/local address or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S.), and/or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.

• Voter Services Station & Trips to the Polls

  Mon, Oct 26th – Fri, Oct 30th
  2pm–4pm (daily)
  Outside the Jacobs Center (Foster & Sheridan), Evanston Campus

  Visit 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).

• Voter Van

  Thurs Nov 3 & Fri Nov 4
  1 - 4pm Norris University Center

  Take the Voter Van to the Evanston Civic Center to cast your Illinois Midterm ballot during early voting! Or visit the Evanston Civic Center (2100 Ridge) on your own any day through November 7th; see details here. 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).

• Election Day!

  Tuesday, November 3
  Your Local Polling Place

  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.

• Voter Registration for Returning Students

  Tuesday, September 19
  10am–4pm Center for Civic Engagement (1813 Hinman)

  In honor of National Voter Registration Day, NU Votes will offer voter registration services for returning students on a drop-in basis at the Center for Civic Engagement at 1813 Hinman. Our staff can help you register to vote for the first time or change or update your voter registration, to your campus/local address or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S. If your state has an election coming up, we can also help you request an absentee ballot to vote by mail. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID if you have one, and your social security number.

• Campus-Wide Voter Services Stations

  Wed Sept 25 – Wed Oct 2
  10pm–4pm See Details Below

  NU Votes will offer comprehensive Voter Services Stations for the campus community at the start of the year. between Wednesday, September 25 and Wednesday, October 2, weekdays 10am–4pm, alternating between Norris and Sargent. Our staff can help you register to vote for the first time, check, change, or update your voter registration (to your campus/local address or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S.), request an absentee ballot to vote by mail, and more. Bring your current address, a driver’s license or state-issued photo ID (if you have one), and your social security number. Find us:

  Wednesday, September 25 – 10am–4pm – Norris Main Entrance
  Thursday, September 26 – 10am–4pm – Sargent Lobby
  Friday, September 27 – 10am–4pm – Norris Main Entrance
  Monday, September 30 – 10am–4pm – Sargent Lobby
  Tuesday, October 1 – 10am–4pm – Norris Main Entrance
  Wednesday, October 2 – 10am–4pm – Sargent Lobby

• Illinois Primary Election

  Tuesday, March 19
  6am–7pm Your Local Polling Place

  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 Parkes Hall (1870 Sheridan Rd). If you live off campus or out of state, find your polling place. Polls are open from 6am–7pm.

  You can still 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, you can bring it to a secure ballot drop box. Find drop box locations for Suburban Cook County or Chicago. Illinois also accepts mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day. If you need to secure a postmark, bring your ballot directly to a post office.

• Chicago Municipal Runoff Election

  Tuesday, April 4th
  6am–7pm Your Local Polling Place

  Last chance to vote in person or return your mail ballot!

  In Chicago, you can vote in-person at any of 50+ Vote Centers throughout the city during early voting or on Election Day, or at your assigned local polling place on Election Day. You can still register to vote or update your registration just before you vote, with TWO forms of ID (proof of identity and proof of address). On Election Day, all polling places are open from 6 AM to 7 PM.

  If you still need to return your mail-in ballot, you can bring it to any of 50+ secure ballot drop boxes throughout the city during early voting or on Election Day. Or bring it to your local post office to be postmarked by Election Day.

• Evanston & Cook County Elections

  Tuesday, April 4th
  6am–7pm Your Local Polling Place

  Last chance to vote in person or return your mail ballot!

  In Evanston, you can vote in-person at the Evanston Civic Center during early voting, or at your assigned local polling place on Election Day. You can still register to vote or update your registration just before you vote, with TWO forms of ID (proof of identity and proof of address). On Election Day, all polling places are open from 6 AM to 7 PM.

  If you still need to return your mail-in ballot, you can bring it to the ballot drop box at the Evanston Civic Center during early voting, or to your local post office to be postmarked by Election Day.

• Election Night Watch Party for Graduate Students

  Tuesday, April 4
  6:15pm–9pm Center for Civic Engagement (1813 Hinman)

  Chicago’s Municipal Runoff Election will be held Tuesday, April 4. Watch the results come in with NU Votes Graduate Student Ambassadors and special guest Tom Ogorzalek, Co-Director of the Chicago Democracy Project. The election will determine Chicago’s next mayor and more than a dozen City Council seats.
  6:15–7 pm: Grab dinner while Dr. Ogorzalek shares polling results
  7–9 pm: Watch the live returns
  RSVP by April 2