America Votes

Welcome to the UVA Center for Politics voter information page. Below you can find the answers to when, where and how to vote. Whether you decide to vote here in the state of Virginia or in another state you call home, you should find this information helpful. This page is the result of a collaboration between the UVA Center for Politics and UVA Student Council. If you have suggestions of additional information for this page please send them to Glenn Crossman at gac4t@virginia.edu.

Plan Your Vote!

Mark your calendars. Everything you need to know about mail-in and early in-person voting, including the first day you can cast your ballot in the 2020 election. Click here.

Special Notes for UVA Students

1. Registering to Vote

a. Please note the following:

i. If you have changed addresses since the last time you registered to vote, you must register again with your new address even if it is in the same precinct.

ii. If you have recently turned 21 and received a new driver’s license, please check your register HERE. It is possible that the DMV registered you at your permanent address if you indicated that you would like to register to vote.

2. New section on volunteering

a. If you are interested in volunteering for voter registration drives throughout the school year, please sign up HERE.

b. Volunteering opportunities are based on drives happening on a weekly basis, and any volunteers who indicate availability during those periods will be emailed beforehand to confirm their availability.

c. At this time, volunteering opportunities are for students, and all volunteers will have to go through a short training before their first shift.

d. If you have any questions, please email hek3bm@virginia.edu.

REGISTERING TO VOTE

Campus Vote Project – www.campusvoteproject.com Campus Vote Project is a project of the Fair Elections Center. Campus Vote Project works with universities, community colleges, faculty, students and election officials to reduce barriers to student voting. Their goal is to help campuses institutionalize reforms that empower students with the information they need to register and vote. FAQs 1. Can I register…

VOLUNTEERING

If you are interested in volunteering for voter registration drives throughout the school year, please sign up HERE. Volunteering opportunities are based on drives happening on a weekly basis, and any volunteers who indicate availability during those periods will be emailed beforehand to confirm their availability. At this time, volunteering opportunities are for students, and all volunteers will have to go…

VOLUNTEER POLL WORKER

https://www.powerthepolls.org/UVA

ELECTION DAY IN VIRGINIA

FAQS 1. When can I vote in the general election? November 3, 2020 from 6 AM to 7 PM 2. Where can I vote? See polling location infographic above You can also find your polling location by entering your zip code HERE. 3. What do I need to vote? A VA driver’s license or other government-issued ID Out-of-state students can vote…

CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Vote Smart – https://justfacts.votesmart.org Vote Smart offers every candidate and elected official from President to local government and can be easily and instantly accessed through the Voter’s Self-Defense System: Voting Records, Biographical and contact information, Issue positions (political courage test),Interest group rating, Public statements and Campaign finances. FAQs 1. How do I find information on candidates? Visit websites like www.votesmart.org to…

MAKING A PLAN

If you live in Virginia Visit this website and mark your calendar for each election: https://www.elections.virginia.gov/casting-a-ballot/calendars-schedules/upcoming-elections.html UVA students: decide whether to vote absentee or in Charlottesville. See “Voting Absentee” and “Registering to Vote” Make sure you register before the deadline. Make a plan as election day nears. Find your polling location HERE. What time of day will I be free to…

VOTING ABSENTEE

Click here for information on the important changes for mail-in absentee ballots due to the coronavirus. If you live in Virginia and registered with your home address instead of your school address, you are able to send in an absentee ballot. As a UVA student, even if you are registered at your local address, you can vote absentee in Charlottesville elections…

ELECTION LAW CHANGES

Election law changes effective July 1, 2020 Absentee Voting HB 1 and SB 111 – Absentee Voting; no excuse required. Effective date: July 1, 2020 These bills are identical and eliminate all excuses previously required for a voter to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. This allows any otherwise qualified voter to vote in person or by mail up to…

WHY VOTING MATTERS

Millennials and Gen Z are the largest eligible voting block in 2020, yet often are outvoted by older demographic groups. As explained by the Campus Vote Project, young adults are less likely to vote because they are less likely to have drivers’ licenses, move frequently, and aren’t contacted by political campaigns as aggressively. Fortunately, through the work of civic engagement initiatives,…

PAST UVA VOTING DATA

Presidential Elections (from National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement 8/2017): 2016: 63.9% of eligible voters on grounds voted (up 9.8% from 2012) 13.5% more of UVa students vote than the national university average (50.4% voting rate). 14.2% more registered students voted in 2016 compared to 2012 (81.5% vs. 67.3%) The registration rate of UVA students decreased 2.1% from 2012 to…