First Time Voting? It’s a Snap
No matter where you’re from, it’s easy to cast your ballot
Click on the video above to hear how students feel about voting.
Whether because of indifference, laziness, or a simple lack of know-how, young Americans haven’t exactly turned out in droves to vote in presidential elections. When President Bush was reelected four years ago, fewer than half of the eligible 18- to 24-year-olds in the country cast a ballot.
This year may be different. Young voters appear to be more engaged in the 2008 race than in past elections.
In the video above, students talk about why they will vote, why some young people don’t, and why everyone should in this election. Below is a guide for first-time voters on registering and voting, whether at the polls or by absentee ballot.
Who can vote?
American citizens who are 18 years old on or before election day, Tuesday, November 4.
How can I register to vote?
To find out about registration in Massachusetts or in your home state, click here.
If you are a resident of Massachusetts and want to vote in Massachusetts:
• By mail: Download and print a national voter registration form by clicking on the “National Mail Voter Registration Form” link on this page, or call 617-727-2828 or 1-800-462-VOTE to have one mailed to you. You can also pick up the form on campus, at the George Sherman Union Link. Mail the completed form to:
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Elections Division, Room 1705
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
• In person: Go to any registration location, such as your town or city hall, and complete an affidavit of registration. You will be asked for information such as your name, residence, and date of birth. (Remember that Allston and Brighton are neighborhoods of Boston.)
City of Boston Election Department
City Hall, Room 241
Boston, MA 02201
Brookline Town Hall
333 Washington St.
Brookline, MA 02445
Cambridge City Hall
51 Inman St., First Floor
Cambridge, MA 02139
• At the Registry of Motor Vehicles: You can register when applying for or renewing your driver’s license.
If you are from another state and want to vote there, see the question below about voting by absentee ballot.
When is the deadline to register to vote?
The deadline to register to vote in Massachusetts is Wednesday, October 15. This means that your registration form must be postmarked October 15 at the latest or it will not be valid for this year’s November election.
For a list of deadlines in other states, click on the “State Registration Deadlines” link on this page.
Where do I vote?
If you are registered to vote in Massachusetts, type in your address on this page to find out where you can vote.
What is an absentee ballot, and how do I vote using one?
If you are a college student, a traveler, a disabled person, or a member of the military, there’s no reason not to vote in an election. If you are a registered voter, read on to learn how to order an absentee ballot.
If you are from another state, you can vote in your home state by casting an absentee ballot. First, check your state’s board of elections Web site for information on applying for an absentee ballot. Most states will allow you to download and print the application. Fill it out with your information and return it to the board of elections.
Be aware that your application will need to be processed before your ballot is sent to you, so check the deadlines for absentee ballot applications on your state’s Web site.
Your absentee ballot will be mailed to you. Read the instructions very carefully — they typically require using a specific kind of pencil or pen.
Mail or hand-deliver the absentee ballot to your hometown elections office. Many states require that your ballot be postmarked before the polls close on election day. Others allow you a window of time after election day to send the ballot back.
In some states, you can apply for your absentee ballot and cast your vote in one visit, if you are able to visit your state two or three weeks before the election.
Most states have Web sites with detailed information about registering, casting an absentee ballot, and voting in person. Use them!
Edward A. Brown can be reached at ebrown@bu.edu.
Comments & Discussion
Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.