Congressional Mandate

The Voter Registration mandate of the 1998 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (PDF- 891KB) requires colleges and universities to make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to students enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution in years when there are elections for federal office or for the state's governor.

College students may register to vote either at a college address, or a hometown or parent’s address. If you register at your hometown address and want to vote while attending college, you must remember to request an absentee ballot before the election. Check with the your state's election board for the exact deadline.

The Coalition for Voting Reform in Grand Rapids also offers some specific advice to students regarding when and where to register (PDF 753Kb).

Vote in Michigan

To vote in a either a general or gubernatorial election, Michigan residents must register with the state at least 30 days in advance.

Michigan residents can register to vote by completing the
Michigan Voter Registation Application and mailing it to:

Michigan Department of State
Bureau of Elections
PO Box 20126
Lansing, MI 48901-0726

Michigan registrations must be postmarked by October 6th.

More information is available on Michigan's Elections website.

Vote in Other States

The National Mail Voter Registration Form is the one document that allows you to register to vote from anywhere in the United States. This document includes information on how to register to vote in each state.

Registration Deadlines

State Voter Registration Deadlines