Resources for Student Voters

Oberlin College seeks to prepare students to become engaged and informed citizens by providing essential information and resources to vote in local, state, and national elections.

General Election Information

oc votes logo

This year’s general election is November 3, 2020. Registration for this election is closed. However, be sure to check with your home state for any recent changes to election rules. Whether voting in Ohio, absentee, or by mail, be sure you are prepared and know when and how you can submit (or cast) your ballot.

Check your state
411 Election Information
 

Learn Who and What is on the Ballot

Not sure who to vote for or what issues to support? View our series of videos and meet the candidates vying for your vote.

Local candidates and ballot issues
Find out what's on your ballot

Voter Registration

Are you registered to vote? Of course, you are! If you are registering in Ohio, please check the Lorain County Board of Elections at www.voteloraincountyohio.gov to verify that you have successfully registered. Even if you’re sure you have, check again because many forms do not get processed because of simple mistakes. If your registration did not go through, please submit another form.

If you’d like to talk with a student or check that your form is filled out correctly, send an email to mgruesse@oberlin or amcclean@oberlin.edu.

Plan Your Vote: Here’s How

Three Ways to Vote

Vote by Mail

If you have already requested a mail-in absentee ballot, voting by mail-in ballot is the best option. If you haven’t requested a ballot yet, you should vote early in person, or on election day.

  • After some initial delays, many ballots have already arrived in Oberlin. Check your ballot status .
  • When your ballot arrives, fill it out correctly. You don’t need a utility bill, but you’ll need to know your registration address (residence hall address, not OCMR) and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Look up your registration address .
  • Return your ballot without delay by mail with proper postage. The cost is $0.70 or adhere two ‘‘Forever’’ stamps. As November 3 approaches, take your ballot of the post office and ask that it be ‘‘hand canceled.’’ This will prove that you have voted before November 3 and the ballot will be counted even if it arrives after election day. 
  • You also can consider delivering your ballot in person to the official dropbox at the Lorain County Board of Elections. You must deliver your own ballot.

Note: Should you change your mind after you request an absentee ballot, you can still vote early in person. However, If you wait until election day, you will have to vote provisionally. Do not discard your mail-in ballot. Here's what to do .

Vote Early in Person

  • You can vote early in-person at the Lorain Board of Elections between October 6 through November 2. Check voting hours and get directions .
  • You don’t need a utility bill, but you’ll need to know your registration address (residence hall address, not OCMR) and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number. Look up your registration address .

Vote at the Polls on Election Day

  • Find your polling location .
  • Be sure to bring a utility bill as part of your ID. The college will generate your utility bill in the last week of October and send it by email as a pdf attachment.

Is Your Absentee Ballot … Absent From Your Mailbox?

Absentee ballot requests are currently being processed by the Board of Elections, and the first absentee ballots are expected to arrive soon in the mailboxes of those who requested them.

Have you confirmed that your request was received and approved? Double-check your registration/ballot status .

If you expect to see an absentee ballot request (and you turned it in more than 10 days ago) but don’t have one listed, call the Board of Elections (440) 326-5900 and ask if your request was rejected and why. If it was due to an error on your part (usually the incorrect address on the form), you may have to reapply (do so ASAP) or plan to vote in person on November 3.

If you have not yet applied for an absentee ballot, consider voting in person on election day at your assigned polling place.

More About Voting at Oberlin College

Voter Friendly Campus Initiative
Oberlin College Designated a Voter Friendly Campus
Lorain County 2020 Voter Guide