Frequently Asked Questions

Each state varies in their requirements, Hopkins Votes encourages you to register as early as possible and JHU affiliates can easily do so by visiting JHU’s TurboVote page. If you have questions about your specific state, please feel free to reach out to HopkinsVotes@jhu.edu.

TurboVote is an online platform that JHU has partnered with to ensure every voter is registered and has the information they need to cast their ballot. Any personal information you submit, including your party affiliation, is not shared beyond the Hopkins Votes team. You can use TurboVote to access voter registration information, check your registration status, sign up for reminders, and request absentee ballots.

Students can register to vote in either their home states or where they are living to attend college, but they cannot be registered in both locations. If you relocated to Baltimore or Washington, D.C. for the fall semester, you will need to decide if you would like to register in Maryland or D.C. or your home state, and request an absentee ballot. Absentee ballot regulations vary based on where you live. Be sure to research your state’s required process. Regardless, you will have the right to vote in the state of your choosing, as long as you have a temporary or permanent residence there.

Yes. TurboVote does much more than just facilitate voter registration. The text and email election reminders and the vote-by-mail request forms are both very valuable services that can help ensure that you are ready to vote or around Election Day.

States vary in their offerings for residents to cast a ballot. We suggest you visit JHU’s TurboVote page or your state’s Board of Elections website to learn more about your ability to vote by mail, request an absentee ballot, or learn more about your polling location. Many states expanded absentee ballot eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is sometimes also referred to as voting by mail as it does not require one to be absent from the county to vote.

Not necessarily, though depending on your state, you may need to present an official document with your name and current address on it. If your address has changed, you may need to provide your polling location with documentation that verifies your change of address. In most states, this documentation can be a utility bill or paycheck with your updated address on it. Check your state’s voter identification laws here.

The requirements for voting in local and federal elections vary by state, so you should check with their state election office to learn more. Most states, however, have similar requirements. All states except North Dakota require individuals to register to vote, and every state allows absentee voting. All voters must be at least 18 years of age, although some states make it possible for 17 year olds to vote in primary elections if their birthday falls before the general election. All voters must be U.S. citizens, but not all U.S. citizens are eligible to vote.

To verify that you are registered to vote and that your voter record is correct, you can check your registration status on TurboVote or your state’s election office well in advance of your state’s voter registration deadline.

Many states allow you to view your ballot in advance of casting your vote. This provides an opportunity to research all of the candidates on your ballot so that you can make informed decisions. Ballot Ready, Ballotpedia, and Vote411 are great sites to learn more about what is on your personal ballot outside of the presidential candidates prior to the election.

Yes, you should re-register each time you move. You may register at your current address regardless of what address is on your driver’s license. But, failing to provide proper documentation as per the requirement of your state of residence may result in your inability to vote on Election Day.

Most states permit another government ID, paycheck, utility bill or bank statement, but some have more stringent requirements. Therefore if your current address does not match your driver’s license, you should do one of two things:

• Register at your new address and check the ID and proof of residency requirements or with your state’s board of elections. You may need to get a new driver’s license.
• Register at your home/parents’ address and vote by absentee ballot.

First, make sure there is still time to update your political party affiliation registration before your state’s deadline and the next election. To view the registration deadlines for your state, go to U.S. Vote Foundation , usa.gov or Vote411.org. 

Once you confirm if you have enough time prior to your state’s deadline, log into TurboVote to access the forms to update your political party affiliation, address or other personal details to submit to your local board of elections.

Election Day is not a national holiday. JHU does not have a university policy for students regarding election day, and so you should work with your professors to determine their policy. If you have a full class schedule on Nov. 8, make your plan to vote early in person or vote by mail. Faculty and staff are given 2 hours to vote on Election Day.

While eligible U.S. citizens only are permitted to cast a ballot in the U.S. election, you can participate in the process by getting the word out about voting, encouraging others to sign up with TurboVote, and/or giving your time toward a political campaign. You can also sign up to volunteer with the Hopkins Votes team.