Is this election your first time voting?

Voting helps in deciding who makes decisions that can impact your life and your future. Voting also impacts people with mental health conditions since many policy issues directly relate or intersect with mental health. Your #Vote4MentalHealth can make an impact beyond the ballot box.

Your first time voting can be overwhelming. Here’s a quick checklist to help get you ready to #Vote4MentalHealth:

▢ Are you registered to vote? In order to vote, you have to register to vote! It is important to register before your state’s deadlines, as many states do not allow same day registration. Register to vote, check your registration, or find your state’s registration deadline.

▢ Do you know where your polling place is? When you register to vote, you’re assigned a location to vote in-person based on your address. Find your polling place. Additionally, in some states, elections are conducted by safe and secure mail ballots. If you’re unable to vote in-person, there may be options available for early or absentee voting. Learn more about early and absentee voting options and see what is allowed in your state.

▢ Did you check what is on your ballot? See what’s on your ballot. You may bring a filled-in or printed voter guide into the voting booth.

▢ Do you need your ID to vote? Some states require voters to show government-issued identification to cast their ballot. Check if you need an ID to vote in your state.

▢ Do you know the impact of voting for people affected by mental health conditions? #Vote4MentalHealth is more than voting for a single policy issue. It is about understanding how issues intersect with mental health.

▢ Share on social media that you will #Vote4MentalHealth. Show your friends, family, and followers that you voted/plan to vote. This can encourage others to vote and show the importance voting has on mental health. Find sample social media posts and graphics.

Take the Pledge to #Vote4MentalHealth
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Frequently Asked Questions for First-Time & College-Aged Voters

Voting can feel overwhelming, especially if this election is your first time casting a ballot, or you’re attending school away from home. Do you know your state’s voter registration deadline? Will you change your registration to your campus address or travel back home to vote? This resource answers many of the common questions you may have as a first-time or college-aged voter to help you #Vote4MentalHealth this election. 

Why should I register to vote? Does it really matter?

Candidates and elected officials take notice of communities that consistently turn out for elections. They tend to not focus their time and resources on neighborhoods with low voter registration rates or low voter turnout. Their time and attention will mainly go to likely voters with a high probability of voting in an upcoming election. 

When you register to vote and cast a ballot, you ensure elected leaders and candidates will give attention to the needs and concerns of your community. 

Many elected officials have also won by extremely small margins. Sometimes in local races, one vote can elect a winner. Your vote can have a huge impact on mental health care. 

Additionally, civic engagement can improve mental health and well-being by fostering a sense of purpose, reducing isolation, and building connections to the community. Learn more about NAMI’s policy position on voting here. 

Every state allows eligible voters to register to vote in-person or by mail. Most states, except for Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, also offer online voter registration. 

Make sure you register to vote before your state’s deadline! Each state sets their own voter registration deadline, so they vary significantly across the country. Some states offer same day voter registration — where eligible voters can register and vote via a provisional ballot at the same time — through Election Day, while other states’ deadlines are days or weeks before Election Day. 

You can get instructions on how to register to vote in your state and find your state’s voter registration deadline at vote4mentalhealth.org/register.  

Note: North Dakota does not require voters to register.

You can check your voter registration online at any time through NAMI’s #Vote4MentalHealth website at vote4mentalhealth.org/register or visit vote.gov/register.

If you missed your state’s voter registration deadline, you may still be able to cast a ballot!

Around half of all U.S. states offer same day voter registration through Election Day. Same day voter registration means eligible voters are allowed to register to vote and cast a provisional ballot at the same time. Visit vote411.org/select-state, select your state from the drop-down list, and view the tab titled Voter Registration Deadlines to see if your state offers same-day voter registration. 

If your state does not offer same day voter registration, make sure you’re registered to vote for the next election by registering at vote4mentalhealth.org/register! 

Yes, you can register to vote at your campus address if it is considered your private address where you spend most of the year and engage in community activities!  

Some states require you to present documentation of residency or domicile when you change your voter registration. Additionally, some states will allow you to use your college ID as proof of residency while some will not.  You can learn what documentation or ID you will need as a student to update your registration and cast your ballot at voteriders.org/voter/student.  

You should include your dormitory and/or room number if registering with your campus address. A PO Box doesn’t count as a residential address. Additionally, make sure you update your voter registration by your state’s voter registration deadline! Check your state’s deadline at vote.gov/register.

You have a few options! Choose the one that works best for you. 

If your state’s voter registration deadline has not passed yet, you may be able to update your registration to your campus address. Some states require you to present documents proving residency or domicile in your state to change your registration. You can learn what documentation or ID you will need as a student to update your registration and cast your ballot at voteriders.org/voter/student. 

If your state’s voter registration deadline has passed or you don’t want to change your registration, then you can request an absentee ballot or mail ballot. Some states automatically send mail ballots to all registered voters, but most states require you to apply for an absentee or mail ballot. Some states require you to list a reason — like being away at college — to vote absentee, but some states do not mandate an excuse.  

Each state sets its own deadline for when you must request an absentee ballot and for when you must return or postmark your absentee ballot. Regardless of your state’s deadline, it is best to return your absentee ballot as soon as possible to ensure your vote is counted. Visit vote411.org/select-state, select your state, and view the tab titled Absentee Ballot Process for more information on requesting an absentee ballot in your state. 

If both the deadline to change your registration and the deadline to request an absentee ballot in your state have passed, then you still have the option to travel home before Election Day to vote early in-person. You can find your state’s early voting options at vote.gov/early-voting-calendar. 

If you are studying abroad and will be out of the country on Election Day, you can still vote in elections. The U.S. Department of State lists the step-by-step process for voting absentee while living abroad here. 

Send your Federal Post Card Application to your local election office as early as possible but no later than 45 days before the election to give them time to process your request. You should also mail your completed ballot back as soon as possible to ensure it is received and postmarked by your state’s deadline.

You can still register to vote and cast a ballot without a permanent address. You can use the address of a homeless shelter, a street intersection, or a public park as your address. Learn more about the requirements and process at vote.gov/guide-to voting/unhoused.

No. The address you use to register to vote will not affect your federal financial aid. (Source) 

No. If you choose to register at your campus address as an out-of-state student, it will not affect your state residency status when it comes to tuition. (Source) 

No. The address you use to register to vote has no bearing on your parents’ ability to claim you as a dependent on their taxes or on your FAFSA forms. (Source)

Many states require voters to show an accepted form of ID to cast a ballot. Some states specifically require a photo ID, while others accept non-photo IDs. Visit voteriders.org/staterules to see if your state requires a form of ID to vote, and, if so, the types of IDs accepted. 

It depends. Some states accept student IDs, while others don’t. Visit voteriders.org/staterules to see if your state requires a form of ID to vote, and — if so — if student IDs are accepted.

If you plan to vote in-person on Election Day, then you must vote at your assigned polling place. You can find your polling place at nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place. However, many states also offer a select number of sites to vote early in-person. Find early voting options near you at vote.org/early-voting-calendar. If you are voting absentee or by mail, you do not have to visit a polling place. You can mail your ballot back or drop it off in a designated drop box in your community. Find your nearest drop box at nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place.

Many campuses have polling places. If you are registered with your campus address, you can see if your campus has a polling place and its hours at nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place.

You have several options to ensure you can cast your ballot even if you are busy on Election Day! 

One option is voting early in-person, where available. Many states offer multiple voting sites in the days and weeks leading up to Election Day. You can find your state’s early voting options at vote.org/early-voting-calendar. 

A second option is voting absentee or by mail. A few states automatically send mail ballots to all registered voters. If you live in one of these states, all you have to do is return your mail ballot as soon as possible before the deadline. However, most states require you to request an absentee or mail ballot, and some require you to list a reason for not being able to vote in-person. Please read your state’s qualifications to vote absentee and note your state’s deadlines to request and return absentee ballots. Visit vote411.org/select-state, select your state from the drop-down menu, and view the Absentee Ballot Process tab for more information on the process in your state. 

Finally, your campus may have its own polling place. If you are registered with your campus address, you can see if your campus has a polling place at nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place. Remember, you are allowed to vote as long as you are in line when the polls close!

If you plan to vote in-person on Election Day, see if you can walk or take public transit to your assigned polling place. You can find your assigned polling place at nass.org/can-i-vote/find-your-polling-place. 

If walking and public transit are not possible, there are still several ways you can cast your ballot. One option is voting early. Early voting sites tend to be more centrally located. You can find early voting options near you at vote.org/early-voting-calendar. 

If the deadline to request an absentee ballot has not passed in your state, you also have the option to vote by mail. Visit vote411.org/select-state, select your state from the drop down menu, and view the Absentee Ballot Process tab to see your state’s deadlines for absentee ballots. 

Finally, many rideshare services, like Uber or Lyft, and local community organizations offer free rides to the polls on Election Day. Your school may offer free transportation to the polls on Election Day as well.

No. Voters must cast a paper ballot or vote on a secure voting machine at a designated polling place.

Don’t stress! You have a few options. You can contact your local election office to request a replacement ballot. All states have processes for lost absentee or mail ballots, but the deadlines to request and return them differ between states. Your local election office will guide you through the process of requesting a replacement ballot. You can find your local election office at usvotefoundation.org/election-offices. 

You also have the option to vote early or on Election Day via a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots get counted like any other ballot once your local election office has verified that you did not submit a mail ballot. 

Enter your address into VOTE411’s ballot lookup tool at vote411.org/ballot to see all of the races and candidates on your ballot.

Even if you don’t like all the candidates for one race, you can still have a major impact by voting in the other races. State and local races are very important and oftentimes affect your daily life the most. State and local elected officials determine if the snow gets plowed and the types of mental health services available in your community. These are your mayors, local judges, school boards, and city councils to name a few. Learn more about how different policymakers impact mental health in your community at vote4mentalhealth.org/engaging-candidates and find out what is on your ballot at vote411.org/ballot.

Many races have been determined by extremely small margins. Some state and local races have been decided by less than a dozen votes. Your vote can absolutely have an impact. Learn more about what is on your ballot at vote411.org/ballot.

For more resources on voting, the elections process, and why voting matters for people affected by mental health conditions, visit vote4mentalhealth.org.