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Voting: A Guide for CSU Students

A guide to voting as a CSU student. Also explores why your vote counts!

Welcome!

Image result for vote

 

Are you a CSU student who is thinking about voting in an upcoming election? This guide will give you links to resources that will help you register to vote, learn about the candidates, and feel confident that your vote matters.

 

Register to vote online!

How to Vote

As a Cleveland State University student, you can choose whether to register to vote at your permanent/home address or at your campus address. You may only choose one place to vote from, but it's up to you. See all voter deadlines.

There are several options for voting in Ohio and each is legal. 

  1. Vote by mail
  2. Early in-person voting
  3. Vote on Election Day

See the tabs in the box for information about each option. See the links to the left, especially the Ohio Student Voting Guide, for more information about the issues at stake this election.

The deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 11th.
All voter deadlines

To vote in Ohio, you must be:

  • A U.S. citizen
  • At least 18 years old on or before the day of the general election. (17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the date of the general election may vote in the primary election for candidates only);
  • A resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election; and
  • Registered to vote at least 30 days before the election.

Once registered, you can request an Absentee Ballot to and vote by mail from home. It's very important to begin the process of voting by mail as soon as possible.

Here are the key steps & dates: 

  1. Request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot - If you're registered, do this today! You may have already gotten a vote-by-mail request form in the mail. If not, Fill out a Vote-by-Mail Ballot Application form to request an absentee ballot (see below). The latest this request can be received varies with each election, so see the link above to determine when the deadline is. Also, if you requested a ballot in previous election you will need to request one again.
    1. You can request a a Vote-by-Mail ballot in one of four ways:
      1. If you have access to Internet and a printer - Complete a form online, print, and mail to the Board of Elections. Use the "Print Form" option when prompted. Note: There is no way to submit the form online; it must be mailed.
      2. If you have internet access, but no printer - Visit the Board of Elections website and fill in your name & birthday to access the form. Use the "Mail Form" option. Alternatively, you can use campus computer labs to print.
      3. No Online Access? Call the BOE at 216-443-VOTE (8683) and ask the Board to mail you a Vote-by-Mail application. 
      4. In Person - The BOE (2925 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland) - has an area just inside the back door where you can complete and drop your application. There also is a secure drop box in the parking lot to drop off the form.
  2. Wait for your Ballot to Arrive - See the Board of Elections website for when they will begin mailing ballots to vote with from home. You can also track your ballot request on the website. Note - the process may take some time after your request is received, so the sooner you start, the better!
  3. Fill Out and Return Your Ballot - Fill out the ballot and mail your completed ballot back to the Board of Elections or drop it off in the secure drop box in the Board of Elections parking lot. If you are unable to deliver it through the US Postal Service or worry it will take too long, you can drop it off in the secure dropbox located in the Board of Elections parking lot - E. 30th & Euclid in Cuyahoga County - by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Track Your Ballot
Want to know if your ballot request or ballot was received? Just like you track a package, the Board of Elections (BOE) lets you track the progress of your request and ballot on their website.

In Ohio, absentee ballots are counted before in-person voting ballots.

You can vote in-person early if you would prefer to avoid the crowds and would not like to rely on receiving a mail-in ballot. 

Early voting is available at the Board of Elections (BOE) at E. 30th & Euclid. The exact schedule and more details can be found on the BOE website.

When you arrive to vote, you will need to show your current and valid photo ID, a military ID, or a copy or original of a current utility bill (including a cell phone bill), bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document (including those issued by a public college or university) that shows your name and current address.

In-person voting takes place on November 5th from 6:30am to 7:30pm.

When you arrive to vote, you will need to show your current and valid photo ID, a military ID, or a copy or original of a current utility bill (including a cell phone bill), bank statement, paycheck, government check or other government document (including those issued by a public college or university) that shows your name and current address. 

How to Use this Voting Guide

Why Your Vote Counts!