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!
Here are quick links to some of the key information and resources 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
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.
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Voter Services for Medical Students
Thursday, August 1
9:45am Lurie Biomedical Research CenterNU 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.
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Voter Services at Wildcat Welcome
Tuesday, September 17
9am – 5pm Welcome Center at NorrisNU 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.
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Voter Services at TGS Orientation
Thursday, September 19
2pm – 4pm TGS Resource Fair at NorrisNU 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.
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Voter Registration for Returning Students
Tuesday, September 19th
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.
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Campus-Wide Voter Services Stations
Wed Sept 25 – Wed Oct 2
10am–4pm See Details BelowNU 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 -
Drop-In Hours
Tuesday, September 28th & Thursday, September 30th
12pm–4pm 1813 HinmanStop 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 voter registration (to your campus/local address or a permanent address anywhere in the U.S.), 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.
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Join the Searle Center’s Associate Director of Inclusive Teaching, Veronica Womack, for a conversation focused on implementing the strategies in Searle’s “Teaching During Turbulent Times” Learning & Teaching Guide.
This will be an opportunity to exchange pedagogical approaches and concerns for teaching amidst unfolding events—like the current election season, discuss strategies for facilitating productive conversations, and explore preparation strategies that center wellness and instructor vitality.
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Voter Services Station & Voter Van
Mon, Oct 28 – Fri, Nov 1
12pm–4pm Norris Main EntranceVisit NU Votes’ Voter Services Station 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. Toward the end of the week, NU Votes will also be offering a Voter Van to the Evanston Civic Center for early voting or mail ballot drop off (stay tuned for details).
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Voter Van
Thurs Nov 3 & Fri Nov 4
1 - 4pm Norris University CenterTake 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).
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Early Voting
Oct 21 – Nov 4
See Details BelowEarly voting is open in Evanston and Chicago!
If you live in Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County), you can vote early at the Evanston Civic Center (2100 Ridge Ave, Room G300) or 50+ other sites, from October 21–November 4. See Early Voting Locations & Hours for Cook County Residents.
If you live in Chicago, you can vote early at any of 50+ locations throughout the city, from October 21–November 4. See Early Voting Locations & Hours for Chicago Residents.
If you are registered in another county in Illinois, see Early Voting Locations & Hours by County (be sure to choose 2024 General Election).
You can register to vote on all early voting days – 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 Parkes Hall (1870 Sheridan Rd). If you live off campus or out of state, find your polling place. In Illinois, 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 mail it or drop it in a ballot drop box. 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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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, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Online Tools
Use NU Votes’ Online Tools to check your registration, register or update your registration, and/or request an absentee ballot to vote by mail.
In most states, registration can be done entirely online if you have an in-state driver’s license or state ID number; ballot requests can sometimes be done online as well. However, for some registrations and most ballot requests, you will need to print, complete, sign, and mail a form to complete the process. Some states may also require copies of IDs, a witness signature, or a notary.
Because of this, we encourage you to take advantage of our in-person voter services where you can be sure to complete the process fully and accurately and get any questions answered. Please visit CCE or an in-person voter services station for assistance.
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.
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CHECK STATUS
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 NOW
Register or update your registration.
Register to vote for the first time or change or update your voter registration.
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REQUEST BALLOT
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.
Not sure where to start? Use our Comprehensive Voter Services Tool and we’ll walk you through the process of registering, requesting your ballot, and accessing printing and mailing services if needed. Questions? Email nuvotes@northwestern.edu or get in-person support.