An American flag in front of a campus building
Civic Engagement and Voting

Civic Engagement and Voting

 

Civic Engagement is about recognizing and respecting our communities, taking strides to strengthen democracy and civil rights, and staying informed about the political and community-based processes that shape the world around us.

Your Vote Matters

Student Resources

  • Register to Vote

    This website allows you to check your voter registration status. Enter your address and check your voter registration.

    Register to Vote or Update Your Voter Registration

  • Vote By Mail

    Absentee voting offers a safe and convenient option and allows you to vote in your community even when you are unable to vote in-person. If you're voting absentee in a state other than Ohio visit vote.org for more information. 

    Ohio Absentee Voting

  • Nonpartisan Voter Protection Hotline

    If you run into issues voting on Election Day, such as getting turned away from the polls, there is a non-partisan hotline that can help you. The phone number is 1-866-OUR-VOTE, or 1-866-687-8683. Their website also has a variety of resources specifically for Ohio voters, including information on voter ID laws and polling locations.

    Election Protection

  • What's on My Ballot?

    Find your nonpartisan voters' guide for important races.

    Voter Guide

  • Voter Checklist

    Follow this checklist and get prepared to go to the polls.

    Voter Checklist

  • Find My Elected Officials

    Find and contact your federal, state, and local elected leaders!

    Find Your Officials

  • Voting Rights and Election Security

    You can fact check election security rumor on this government site. Learn about the history of voting rights in the U.S. in this video from Georgia Public Broadcasting. And learn about gerrymandering and how district lines are drawn from this Ted-Ed talk.

  • Media Literacy

    Learn about the intersection of media literacy, digital citizenship and civics, and cybersecurity awareness.

    Cyber Citizenship Education

  • Fact-checking and Fake News

    There can be many lies and half-truths in politics. There are a variety of resources to help us easily fact-check information covered in the news and touted by politicians. You can check Politifact.com and FactCheck.org to review the veracity of political information.

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of expression is the foundation of an OHIO education. Open debate and deliberation, the critique of beliefs and theories, and uncensored academic inquiry are all essential to our shared mission of discovery and dissemination of knowledge.
Freedom of Expression Website

Educator Resources

  • Fostering Campus Climates for Student Political Learning & Engagement

    Explore the National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement (NSLVE) informative resources for nonpartisan, applied research, and advocacy on college student political learning and engagement in democracy.

    Research and Resources

  • Incorporating Election Engagement in Your Courses

    The National Association for Media Literacy Education unites a community of educators who provide resources to help people of all ages develop the vital skills of media literacy.

    Media Literacy

  • Faculty Guide to Student Voting in Your Classroom

    This guide helps faculty interested in engaging student voters and facilitating productive conversations in the classroom. Faculty can use this guide to bring voter registration, education and voter turnout information directly into the classroom.

    Guide to Student Voting in Class

  • Scholarly Articles on Student Activism

    A compilation of scholarly articles cover student activism over the years, including campus activism, allyship, understanding social movements, and more.

    Articles on Activism
 

Get Involved

  • Become a Poll Worker
  • Become an Election Protection Monitor
  • Join Bridge Student Organization

Get Involved 

Civil Dialogue

Voter FAQ

How do I register to vote? Can I do it online? 

In most circumstances you can register or update registration (if you have a new address) online at vote411.org. The deadline to register or update your information in time for elections is typically 30 days before the election. 

Students may choose to register and vote either at their home address or at their campus community address.  If you have moved since you last registered to vote, or if you are registering to vote in your campus community for the first time, you will need to fill out a new form.  

How do I know if I’m already registered to vote? 

Check your voter registration status at vote411.org.  

I have more questions about registering to vote. Where should I look for help? 

This link provides more detailed information from the Ohio Secretary of State about Voter Registration. 

As a student, is there anything I need to know about registering to vote? 

This link provides information about voter registration uniquely tailored to college students in Ohio (i.e. whether it affects financial aid, where your car is registered, etc.). 

What if I can’t make it to the polls or don’t feel comfortable doing so on Election Day? 

By-Mail/Absentee voting may be an especially useful option for you. To do so, you must complete and submit (in-person or by mail) an Absentee Ballot Request Form to your Board of Elections Office at least 7 days prior to the election. Give yourself as much time as possible to ensure the request is received! You’ll then receive a Mail-In/Abenstee Ballot in your mailbox to fill out and return. The ballot must be postmarked (in the mail) at least 1 day before election day, so plan ahead!  This link has all the forms and information you need to know to request an absentee ballot in Ohio.  

Where can I learn more information on who will be on my ballot? 

You can look up what is on your local ballot by visiting https://www.vote411.org/ballot 

Where can I learn who my current elected officials are? 

Learn how to find and contact your federal, state, and local elected leaders here! 

What do I do if I have questions or issues at the polls on Election Day? 

If you run into issues voting on Election Day, such as getting turned away from the polls, there is a non-partisan hotline that can help you. The phone number is 1-866-OUR-VOTE, or 1-866-687-8683. Their website also has a variety of resources specifically for Ohio voters, including information on voter ID laws and polling locations. 

How can I get more involved in the voting process? 

Help staff your polling place! America is facing a record shortage of poll workers this year due to the coronavirus. Our democracy depends on ordinary people who make sure elections run smoothly and everyone's vote is counted. You can make sure we have a safe, fair, efficient election for all. Learn more: Civic Engagement Opportunities 

Where should I go to fact-check politicians? 

There can be many lies and half-truths in politics. There are a variety of resources to help us easily fact-check information covered in the news and touted by politicians. You can check Politifact.com and FactCheck.org to review the veracity of political information.