Hofstra Votes

Voting FAQ

Register to Vote

Frequently Asked Questions*

Are voter registration practices and deadlines the same in every state?

Federal law protects your right to vote, but each state and territory has broad authority to set its own voter registration rules and deadlines. Check the requirements of your state.

Do I have a choice between registering and voting from my prior address or from my campus address?

Students may choose to vote from their prior address or campus address. You should register to vote where you will be the most motivated to vote and where voting will be the most convenient. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 40 years ago that college students have a constitutional right to register and vote from their campus residence. Temporary absences (e.g., summer breaks, study abroad) do not prevent the continuation of residency if the student intends to return.

Where you want to register depends on what you value most. Do you wish to vote in a battleground state? Where do the local issues really matter to you? Where do you want to vote for your member of the U.S. House of Representatives and state officials? Check for more information about making the choice of where to register. Remember, you can live in two places, but you are only allowed to vote in one.

Can I register if I’m not yet 18 years old?

You can pre-register before you turn 18 in New York and in most states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, but you must be 18 to actually vote. Learn more about your state’s rules and find upcoming election dates in your area on your state’s election website.

What about actual voting: are Election Day and vote-by-mail practices and deadlines the same in every state?

Again, although there are federal laws that protect your ability to vote, each state and territory has broad authority to set its own rules regarding how to vote. Be sure to check the rules for the state where you are registered.

What is Hofstra Votes?

Hofstra Votes is a nonpartisan voter education campaign initiated by the university as one way to comply with the 1998 Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, which requires colleges to give students the opportunity to register to vote. Voter registration is supported by the university and staffed by CCE fellows and student volunteers. During the 2023-24 academic year, volunteers tallied more than 500 encounters with students, offering voter registration and advice on obtaining absentee ballots and polling places.

You can visit the nonpartisan voter registration table in the Student Center Atrium most Mondays at common hour before Election Day. We will be updating our website with more information at hofstra.edu/votes. Questions can be addressed to vote@hofstra.edu.

How do I vote if I am registered at my home address?

If you are registered to vote from your home address, you can apply for a mail-in ballot if you’re unable to vote in person. Each state has its own guidelines, so check to see what the rules are in your state or territory, and what the deadline is to request and return your absentee ballot. You can have the mail ballot sent to your Hofstra address. But be careful to list your exact campus address!  

If you will be in your hometown during the election, you can vote in person. Use a polling place locator to find out where to vote on Election Day. Some states, like New York, even give voters the opportunity to vote early in person. Check the website of your state.  Early polling places may differ from regular Election Day sites.

How do I vote if I register at my Hofstra address? Can I vote early in person at Hofstra?

The Nassau County Board of Elections has named Hofstra as a site for early voting for the presidential election. If you are registered at your Hofstra address or anywhere else in Nassau County, you’ll be able to vote early right here at Hofstra. Early in-person voting runs from Saturday, October 26, 2024, through Sunday, November 3, 2024.

Can I vote in-person at Hofstra on Election Day itself?

No, Hofstra’s polling place will NOT be available on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. If you wish to vote in person on this day, use a polling place locator. You’ll be able to vote at one of the polling places adjacent to campus.

If I'm voting in person, do I need to bring identification, and what kind of ID do I need to bring?

Many states require voters to present identification at the polling place; once again, check the rules of your state. In New York, you’ll only be asked for ID if it is your very first-time voting.

Where can I find out about the candidates and the issues?

Hofstra will be hosting many events in fall 2024 to help students understand and discuss the issues underlying the election. Please keep an eye on the university calendar.

You can also get informed by turning to refereed and fact-checked news sources. Consult a variety of sources including wire services such as Associated Press News and Reuters.
You can find general information about candidates and their positions through these helpful resources:  Ballotpedia; Vote 411; and GovTrack.US.

*These FAQs are based heavily on information published on Vote.gov, an official website of the U.S. government managed by the Technology Transformation Services (TTS) within the General Services Administration (GSA).

Updated August 19, 2024