College students (and their parents) might be wondering how they will be able to vote in the all-important November election. First and foremost, you must be registered to vote by October 7. You can register online here.
Once you’re registered, there are three options for voting in the 2024 presidential election: voting by mail (absentee), voting in person during the early voting period (October 8–November 4), or changing your registration to your college address and voting there.
Option 1: Request a Mail-in Absentee Ballot
College students are eligible to vote absentee by mail under the “Reasonable expectation of being absent from the county on election day during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open” clause. To vote by mail, follow these steps:
Fill out the online application for an absentee ballot. (Alternatively, you can download, print, and fill out the application and mail it back.) Submit your college address where you will be receiving mail at school. Have your driver’s license or Social Security Number handy because you will be asked to provide one of these numbers. The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is October 24.
Wait for your paper ballot to arrive in the mail at your college address. Ballots will be mailed beginning September 21.
Fill out your ballot.
Return your ballot either by mail in the postage-paid envelope, or in person at the Hamilton County Election Office, One Hamilton County Square, Ste. 106, Noblesville, IN 46060. All absentee ballots must be received by the elections office by 6pm on November 5 (Election Day).
Option 2: Take Advantage of Early Voting
Early voting begins October 8 in Noblesville, which coincides with many college fall breaks. Students can make a plan to come home to vote during early voting. You can see the full early voting schedule and locations here. But to make it even easier, here are the fall break schedules of several Indiana colleges and universities and how they coincide with early voting.
IU Bloomington (Fall Break October 11–13): Vote October 11 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Purdue (Fall Break October 7–8): Vote October 8 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Ball State (Fall Break October 7–8): Vote October 8 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Butler (Fall Break October 17–18): Vote October 17 or 18 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Indiana State University (Fall Break October 11): Vote October 11 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Trine University (Fall Break October 14–15): Vote October 14 or 15 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
University of Evansville (Fall Break October 7-10): Vote October 8, 9, or 10 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
University of Indianapolis (Fall Break October 14–15): Vote October 14 or 15 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
University of Southern Indiana (Fall Break October 7–8): Vote October 8 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Wabash College (Fall Break October 10–13): Vote October 10 or 11 in Noblesville at the Judicial Center (8:00am–4:30pm) or the 4-H Fairgrounds (9am–4pm).
Option 3: Vote Where You Attend College
College students have the option of voting where they are attending college. Visit vote.gov to get started on changing your registration to your college address. Then be certain that you have an ID with your college address on it when you go to vote on Election Day.
Make a Plan to Vote
Whichever method is most convenient for you, decide on it now and make a plan to vote. It’s no exaggeration that this is the most consequential election of our lifetimes. Young voters are a crucial voice in our democracy, so make sure that you are heard. Together, we can make a difference.