Elections and Voter Resources

The Center for Civic Engagement & Learning is committed to promoting an active and engaged campus community. CCEL hopes to provide information on voter registration while also promoting diverse campus and community events related to upcoming elections. The CWRU community can stop by the CCEL office anytime it's open to get their questions answered and assistance on anything related to voting.

While the process to vote can sometimes seem complex, following these three simple steps is helpful:

  1. Make sure you are eligible to vote
  2. Get registered to vote, either in Ohio or in your home state
  3. Choose how you will vote (Vote Early, on Election Day, or by Vote by Mail via Absentee Voting)

Sees below for more information to complete these steps. 

 

Voter Eligibility

You are eligible to vote in the State of Ohio if you meet all of the following requirements and you are currently living in Ohio. Students studying remotely must register and vote at that location (see the following FAQ).

  • You are a citizen of the United States.
  • You will be at least 18 years old on or before the day of the next general election
  • You will be a resident of Ohio for at least 30 days immediately before the election in which you want to vote.
  • You are not incarcerated (in prison or jail) for a felony conviction under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States.
  • You have not been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court.
  • You have not been permanently disenfranchised for violating the election laws.

If you are a US citizen, but not originally from the state of Ohio, you can also choose to register to vote in your home state. For more information on establishing residency in Ohio, please refer to our voting FAQs.

If you are a CWRU student who is currently studying remotely, you should register wherever you will reside at the time of the election. If you previously registered to vote in Cuyahoga County (because you were living on campus) and you no longer live here because you are studying remotely, you will need to register to vote at your current address.

There are a number of different scenarios that guide where college students should register to vote. This guidance follows general principles of residency for voting purposes, but you should check with your local election officials for the specific voter registration rules where you live. Check out the Fair Elections Center's Campus Vote Project's Voter Registration Scenario Guidance for assistance.

You can also get the voter registration forms you need for any state through TurboVote, or visit Campus Vote Project's State Guides.

Visit How to Vote and select either "vote" or "register to vote" and the state name. You will be taken to an information page for additional information on voting or registering to vote in that particular state.

 

Register to Vote

Every election will have a specific voter registration deadline associated with it. View Important Dates and Ohio Deadlines table at the bottom of this page.

All Case Western Reserve University students have the benefit of being able to utilize TurboVote. TurboVote makes the process of voting easier through a simultaneous online voter registration and ballot request process that takes minutes to complete. This tool helps students manage voter registration deadlines and provide election reminders for all 50 states. Through TurboVote, CWRU students can:

  • Get materials needed to register to vote
  • Request an absentee ballot
  • Receive election reminders
  • Change or update your voter registration information

Go to CWRU TurboVote

For a step-by-step guide to signing up for TurboVote (that includes screenshots), click here.

 

If you think you may have already registered or want to check on the status of your recent registration

Check your voter registration status here!

Checking will help to ensure that you’re registered to vote and ensure that your current place of residency is also up to date!

Voter registration can be completed in the Center for Civic Engagement & Learning, located on the first floor of the Tinkham Veale University Center, suite 165, near the Bellflower Road/Linsalata entrance. It only takes a few minutes to register, and trained Democracy Fellows, students or CCEL staff, will walk you through the voter registration form and/or TurboVote.

You may email commservice@case.edu to setup a specific time or drop in anytime. We can also schedule an appointment and answer your questions over Zoom - just email us!  

 

How to Vote

In many states, including Ohio, there are multiple ways you can vote. You can choose to

If you have not already requested an absentee ballot through TurboVote, you are registered to vote in Ohio, and you prefer to vote by mail, you can request one now through your county board of elections.

Guidelines vary by state, so if you are voting in a state other than Ohio, click here to select your state and view their absentee voting requirements and information. 

Voters who are registered to vote in Cuyahoga County can vote early in person at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections located at 2925 Euclid Avenue. Visit their website to see dates and times for early voting options for a particular election.

For all other states, check here for early voting options.

In Ohio on Election Day, you can cast your ballot at your designated polling location between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

To determine your polling location go here.

If you live on-campus and registered to vote using your on-campus address, you can look up your polling location near campus here. Additionally, when you go to your polling location to vote in Ohio, you will need to bring a form of identification. Find out more about voter ID by clicking the button below.

Voter Identification Requirements

 

 Make a Pledge to Vote

Click here to view Frequently Asked Questions

Get involved with Political Engagement

Be a Poll Worker on Election Day

 

Important Dates and Ohio Deadlines

Please note that some deadlines are Ohio-specific and these dates are for 2024.

Event/Deadline Date

Ohio Voter Registration Deadline

Tues, February 20

Early In-Person and Absentee (Vote-by-Mail) voting begins

Wed, February 21

Deadline to request OH Absentee Ballot 

(Vote-by-Mail)

Tues, March 12

Ohio Absentee Ballot Return Postmark Deadline

Mon, March 18

Presidential Primary Election Day

(polls open from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.)

Tues, March 19

 

Official Ohio Election Information

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Ohio Statewide Election Information

 

Additional Election Information

All State-Specific Student Voting Guides

Ballotpedia Election Resource

Vote 411 Candidate and Issue Research Tool

How to Vote While Studying Abroad

 


The Center for Civic Engagement & Learning and Case Western Reserve University do not endorse any candidate or political party in connection with this or any other political campaign or election. Volunteer opportunities to engage in election activities will be posted as submitted by any party, and students can choose whether or not they wish to get involved.