Are you trying to decide whether to register in Vermont or your home state? It's an important decision to make and could determine how you are able to vote on issues that matter to you.

Your options for registering (and voting) might help you decide where you want to cast a vote. Timelines for registering and sending absentee ballots in differ from state to state - Have you missed any deadlines? What's the absentee ballot timeline the states you're choosing between? What's the registration deadline?

Consider how your vote counts with regards to the electoral college. The Electoral College system give each state a certain number of 'electors' based it's number of representatives in congress - there are 538 total votes. A presidential candidate needs to get more than half (270) to win the presidency.  Because total electoral votes varies from state to state - your vote might have a greater weight depending on where you cast it.  As such, it's helpful to ask things like "Is my state considered a swing state?" or "How many electoral college seats does where you want to vote have?". 

Sites like 270 to Win feature up-to-date interactive maps with the party standings for each state - and they outline each state’s number of electoral college seats so you can see the breakdown of how the electoral college system works. Easy!

Consider local issues to the states you're thinking about voting in. The presidential election will dominate the headlines - but local and state officials are also running for election (and relection) in the state you'll register to vote in too.  Consider where your vote to count most and make the choice to register where you think your vote will best suit your voting goals.

You're registered, you understand the issues and what (and where) casting your vote means - come November it'll be time to cast your vote and let your voice be heard.  Think ahead and plan out the logistics of where you'll need to go - or how you'll vote by mail.

If you're choosing to vote in Burlington you'll vote at a polling place dependant on which of the city's 8 Wards your registered Burlington address is in.  Not sure which Ward or polling place you're in? No prob - use the city's interactive map to plug in your address and find out where you'll go. The City of Burlington Clerk’s Office website also has additional nessisary information and forms if you need them.

If you're voting outside of Burlington, but still in Vermont, you should check out the My Voter Page on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website. This page allows you to plug in your information and check on everything from your polling location to who the elected officials are on the ballot (and even check in on your absentee ballot - if you've chosen cast one).

If your voting in a state other than Vermont, you can find voting options and deadlines using Vote By Mail, an online nonpartisan tool that'll let you find your state and help you get important dates, deadlines, processes and locations so you can to be a prepared and socially conscious voter from afar.

There are a plethora of online resources to help you navigate how and where to cast your vote - or how to submit an absentee ballot.  Some of our favorites include the Election Center from our friends at Rock the Vote, which includes information about registration deadlines and absentee ballots in all 50 states, and the Washington Post's voting resource page which shows you the ways you can vote after plugging in your voting prefrences.

Registering to vote is only half the process - how you cast your vote is equally as important.  Make informed decisions about the topics and candidates you'll be voting for by learning more with these non-partisan resources:

• Vote411 Presidential Election Voter Guide - A nonpartisan presidential voter guide.
• FactCheck.Org - A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
• Project Vote Smart - Provides information on politicians.
• League of Women Voters of Vermont - A nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.
• Voting Rights - A Short History by Carnegie Corporation of New York – Brief overview of voting in America for different people and social communities.
• Voting for Human Rights Guide 2024 – Resource from Human Rights Watch that explains the human rights voting approach and why it matters.
• Heal the Vote Nonpartisan Voter Guide (PDF) – Resource from Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice
• LGBTQ Voter Guide 2024 – Resource for LGBTQ voters for building voter awareness.
• Disability National Voting Resources – One Vote Now created a national resource for voters who have disabilities with self-advocate guides, disability voter guides, checklist for polling places, educational resources, and national voting information.
• Disability Rights Vermont 2024 (PDF) - A 2024 guide for Vermont voters living with disabilities.
• Voting Barriers & Participation – Curious about what prevents people from voting or what voter suppression actually looks like? Take a look at this article examining and defining different terms related to voter activities.

Want to dig deeper and connect with other students and staff about voting? We're planning a number of events all the way through election day (and beyond) - from Political debate watch parties to deep conversations about voting issues and how to be a socially concious voter.

See what events are coming up

Registering and voting can be a confusing process - but it doesn't have to be.  The Civic Engagement staff is here to help you solve any of the problems associated with making sure you have a chance to vote.  Don't hesitate to send us an e-mail with your question and we'll do our best to help you through the process.