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.
It's time to vote!
Below are some quick links to some of the key resources or information you may be looking for.
Voter Services
Have Questions or Need Help?
The NU Votes staff and student team is standing by! Email nuvotes@northwestern.edu or text us at 847-461-9015. We will reply promptly Monday–Friday during business hours and as soon as possible (within 24 hours) outside business hours.
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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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 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.
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This election cycle is full of unknowns and big emotions for so many of us. Join Campus Inclusion & Community and Counseling & Psychological Services staff to connect with other students, talk about what’s on your mind, and practice self-care activities that can help you navigate what you’re going through. There are three dates from 5:30–6:30pm CST. Please pre-register using your Northwestern e-mail address for the November 4th, November 10th, or November 17th dates.
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Join the Institute for Policy Research for a 2020 Post-Election Panel, featuring: Martin Eichenbaum, Charles Moskos Professor Professor of Economics; Laurel Harbridge-Yong, Associate Professor of Political Science and IPR Fellow; Erik Nisbet, Owen L. Coon Endowed Professor of Policy Analysis & Communication and IPR Associate; Chloe Thurston, Assistant Professor of Political Science and IPR Fellow. Moderator: Daniel Galvin, Associate Professor of Political Science and IPR Fellow. Organized by James Druckman, Payson S. Wild Professor of Political Science and IPR Associate Director and Fellow. This event is part of the 2020 Fay Lomax Cook IPR Colloquium Series. Learn more or register now.
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The Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) has compiled an expert panel of accomplished journalists to share their perspectives on the American political landscape and the outcome of the 2020 election. Lynn Sweet ’75 MS, Washington bureau chief and columnist, Chicago Sun-Times, will moderate an alumni panel featuring: Nikole Killion ’99, ’99 MS, Correspondent, CBS News; Tyler Pager ’17, National Political Reporter, Bloomberg News; Elena Schneider ’13, ’14 MS, National Political Reporter, POLITICO; Sabrina Siddiqui ’08, National Politics Reporter, The Wall Street Journal. Learn more or register now.
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Historic Youth Turnout, But More to Come
Wednesday, April 28th
6pm CDT ZoomJoin Illinois PIRG Campus Action’s New Voters Project for a discussion on the 2020 election, youth voter turnout, and ways to combat voter suppression and elevate youth voices in our democracy.
This virtual panel discussion will feature Illinois State Senator Laura Fine, NU Votes Student Coordinator Haley Dudzinski, and a representative of the Cook County Clerk’s Office. The panel is Wednesday, April 28 at 6pm CDT. Register for the Zoom link.
Illinois PIRG Campus Action is a student-run advocacy group that builds power to affect change in our communities; its New Voters Project fights for the rights of students to participate in the democratic process. This event is co-sponsored by Leadership Development & Community Engagement and NU Votes.
Online NU Voter Services Tool
NU Votes has created a one-stop, comprehensive tool that will help you with whatever voter services you may need. You can use it to do just one thing – like register to vote – or to do multiple things – like update your registration address and request an absentee ballot. (Note that you may need a driver’s license or state ID number if you have one and/or your social security number to complete some of these processes.)
Warning: State Voter Registration & Ballot Request Deadlines Closing!
Be sure to check your state’s deadline before proceeding. If it is past your state’s deadline, contact NU Votes for advice on how to proceed.
Use the NU Voter Tool to register to vote, change or update your registration, and/or request an absentee ballot. You'll also be able to access printing, mailing, and other services. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes!
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