Know Your Rights: Voting as a College Student

College students have dual residency, but you can only vote in one state.

• You have the right to choose what state you would like to vote in
• If you want to vote in your home state, you have the right to request an absentee mail-in ballot

• In Vermont, you qualify as a resident ifs you are person who is “domiciled in the town as evidenced by an intent to maintain a principal dwelling place in the town indefinitely and to return there if temporarily absent, coupled with an act or acts consistent with that intent.” 17 V.S.A. § 2122(b).
  • TLDR, if you are an "out of state" student who considers Vermont as your principle dwelling place (for voting reasons) you can vote! If you are coming to your college from another Vermont town, consider which location you feel is your primary dwelling place.

• Learn what elections are occurring in your home state and college state (ex. Congressional, Gubernatorial, State level officials, ballot initiatives, etc.)
• Ask yourself: Which community feels the most like “home” to you? Voting in local and statewide elections shapes policymaking that impacts our everyday lives. Consider registering to vote in whichever community you feel most connected to, and where your vote is for a candidate who will most directly impact your experiences.
• Your vote is your power! Determine what issues, candidates, and initiatives are most important to you on each ballot. Is your home state a “swing state” or “battleground state”? Where will your voice have the most impact?

• In Vermont, you can register to vote anytime before or on the day of the election—in your home state, you will need to register in advance and request and absentee ballot or plan to travel home on Election Day.

• In Vermont, you do not need require you to bring a valid ID to vote except if you did not show a valid ID when registering, or if you registered to vote by mail. Other states may have strict voting identification laws.
• Resources to find out registration rules by state
  • Voter Registration Rules
  • US Vote Foundation- State Voter Information

• Vermont has open primaries so you do not need to declare a party affiliation to vote

There are multiple ways you can register to vote:

• Use the Online Voter Registration system
• Submit a Voter Registration Form to your town or city clerk

When you register to vote for the first time in Vermont:

• You will need to provide a valid form of identification such as a drivers license, passport, or recent utility bill with your address on it
  • This is the only time you will need to provide a valid ID in the voting process
• You will also need to take the Voter’s Oath

Check your registration status at: https://mvp.vermont.gov/

• Check with the Office of the Secretary of State or Elections Board in your home state to find out how to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot
  • Make sure to do this early, as all states have different deadlines to register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot
• Your school might also have helpful resources to help out-of-state students vote

• ALL IN: Out of State Student Voter Guide
• UVM Voter Education Resources