Student Life

Voter Information

GET READY FOR THE General Election Tuesday, Nov. 5 | REGISTER • RESEARCH • VOTE | SHARE YOUR “WHY I’M VOTING” STORY | #UCRVOTES

Drop-off your ballot or vote in-person at

the UCR Alumni & Visitors Center Nov. 2–5.

WHERE'S MY BALLOT?

Check Your Mailbox

California is now a vote-by-mail state. This means that everyone will receive their ballot in the mail. Whether you are already registered to vote or this is your first time registering, you will automatically get your ballot in the mail. Even if you were never a vote-by-mail voter before, you will get your ballot in the mail. This is important to know because if you have moved, and you are no longer residing in the address that you are registered with, then your ballot will go to the wrong address. Check to see what address you are registered with voterstatus.sos.ca.gov and if you need to change your address you can simply re-register at registertovote.ca.gov. 

Easy and Convenient

This might be the first time that you are voting-by-mail. Maybe you have never considered it, or you aren't sure about the process. Voting-by-mail is the absolute easiest way to vote. You get your ballot in the mail with plenty of time to carefully read about all of the candidates and measures in the comfort of your home. When complete, you can drop your ballot in the mail. You don't even need postage — it's already prepaid! Voting-by-mail is the best way to make sure you are making the most informed decision possible, and you don't even need to leave your home!

 

How to Vote: Prepare. Return. Track.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL VOTERS TO CONSIDER:

When registering to vote, you are asked to provide a permanent address and a mailing address. While these may be the same for most people, there are instances where these could be different.

Your permanent address identifies where your vote will count.

Your permanent address will affect what ballot you receive. Depending on what address you list as your permanent address, you will see elections and measures on your ballot that are specific to that area. Sometimes they are county specific elections and measures, sometimes city specific, and sometimes they are specific to your district. While all ballots will have California wide elections and measures, your ballot could look different from a friend, if they are using a permanent address in a different part of the state.

Your mailing address will affect where your ballot will be mailed to.

You could be from the Bay Area, for example, and use your permanent address from there to vote in elections and measures specific to that area, but you may list your mailing address as your apartment where you live while attending UCR. This means that your ballot, that is specific to the Bay Area, will arrive at your mailing address in Riverside.

MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO CONSIDER:

If you are voting by mail, you can either mail your ballot in, or you can submit it at any vote center anywhere in the State of California. It does not matter if your ballot is from the Bay Area—you can submit it at a Vote Center in Riverside.

Now—if you decide to vote in person, you must be registered in the county where the vote center is located. For example, if you are registered in the Bay Area, but on election day you visit a vote center in Riverside, your vote will not count!

If you need to register to vote on election day and you visit a vote center in Riverside County, and you register to vote with a permanent address outside of Riverside County, you will still be given a ballot as it is your right to vote, but your vote will ultimately get tossed and will not count.

Please remember these two critical notes: If you are voting in person, you must vote in the county where your permanent address is located. If you are voting by mail, you can return or submit your ballot from anywhere in the state! This is one of the many benefits of voting by mail!

Step 1) Prepare Your Ballot

  • Read all instructions carefully and completely before filling out your ballot.
  • Make your selections on the ballot using the color of ink noted in the instructions. Insert your completed ballot in the provided envelope.
  • Make sure you complete all of the required information on the exterior of the envelope and sign it in the designated signature box.
  • Make sure that your ballot is sealed and ready to go.

Step 2) Submit Your Ballot

Select one of these options and submit your ballot!

A.) Send your vote-by-mail ballot in the mail by dropping it in your mailbox or dropping it off at any USPS mailing location/box. If returning by mail, your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

B.) Submit your vote-by-mail ballot in person at any vote center or drop-off location no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Find your options here: sos.ca.gov/elections. UCR will be hosting a Vote Center where you can drop off your ballot from Nov. 2–4 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the at the Alumni & Visitors Center.

C.) You can ask someone to turn in your ballot for you. Anyone can submit your ballot for you as long as they are not paid. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section on the outside of the envelope, or else it will not be accepted. Read that again!

D.) If you decide that you don’t want to use your vote-by-mail ballot and instead want to vote in person, you still have that option! Your county will have select vote centers that you can visit and vote. You need to take your vote-by-mail ballot with you and surrender it to the volunteers at the vote center. Upon surrendering your vote-by-mail ballot, they will give you a brand new one that you can use to vote at that location! If you do not have your vote-by-mail ballot, you can still vote by receiving a provisional ballot. To find where your closest vote center will be, go here: sos.ca.gov/elections. 

Remember, UCR will be hosting a Vote Center from Nov. 2–4 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. at the at the Alumni & Visitors Center.  If you wish to register to vote in-person at this location, you will need to register with an address that is in Riverside County. You can also re-register to vote here if you are currently registered in a different County and want to register to vote in Riverside County.

Step 3) Track Your Ballot

Once you've returned your ballot, check your ballot's status using Ballottrax and make sure it's on its way to being counted. (If you haven't received your ballot, find out where it is with this same link.) If you do not receive your mail-in ballot, you can vote in person at any vote center in your county (either on election day or before, as available). Explain that you did not receive your ballot and request a provisional ballot. The provisional ballot is counted once your registration is confirmed.

Sign Up: Ballottrax

 

Join thousands of other Highlanders and make sure your voice is heard in every local, state, and federal election.

 

 

 

Voting by Mail: Safe. Easy. Convenient.

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California Voter FAQ

Note: Although the online voter registration deadline has passed, you can still register to vote in person at any County Registrar of Voter's office or vote center.

  • Will there be polling places on the UCR Campus?

    Yes! UCR will be hosting a Vote Center at the Alumni & Visitors Center.

    • Nov. 2–4: from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

    See which option below applies to you:

    • All voters – no matter where in the state they are registered – can drop off Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballots at the Alumni & Visitors Center
    • Registered voters with an address in Riverside County, visit the alumni center and vote in person
      • They must surrender their VBM ballot
      • If they don’t have their VBM ballot with them to surrender, they can still vote but will be given a provisional ballot (it may be missing some neighborhood/ward specific initiatives, but for the most part covers what is in the general election)
    • Any voter registered in any county can visit the alumni center and choose to re-register to vote with an address in Riverside County and they will be allowed to vote on the spot
      • This is a good option for folks who live on or near campus, but are originally from a different county and registered there, but they want to vote here using their current address
    • Any person who is eligible to vote but is not registered can visit the Alumni & Visitors Center to register (assuming they do so with an address in Riverside County) and can vote on the spot

  • Am I eligible to register to vote?

    You can register to vote in California if you are:

    • A U.S. citizen and a resident of California.
    • 18 years of age or older on Election Day.
    • Not currently imprisoned or on parole for a felony conviction.
    • Not found by a court to be mentally incompetent to vote.

    Note: Online pre-registration is now available for eligible 16- and 17-year olds. California youth who pre-register to vote will have their registration become active once they turn 18-years-old.

  • Where can I register to vote?

    Registering to vote is super easy! Head over to registertovote.ca.gov. The deadline for online voter registration is Oct. 21, 2024.

  • Where can I check to see if I am already registered?

    Use online tools provided by the California Secretary of State at sos.ca.gov/elections/cavoter to learn if you are registered to vote in California.

  • What is the difference between permanent address and mailing address?

    When you register to vote, you have the option of providing your home address and a mailing address. 

    • Home Address: This is the location you want your ballot to represent. This is likely your family's home. Whatever address you pick as your home address, your ballot will include measures specific to that area. Home address is also sometimes called a residence or permanent address.
    • Mailing Address: This is where you want your vote-by-mail ballot to go. You will also receive other information and documents about elections at this address. Home address and mailing address do not need to be the same. We HIGHLY encourage you to check your voter registration so you know what address you are registered with and you can ensure that you can still access that location to receive your ballot. 

    Whatever address you list you need to make sure that you include a complete address. If it is an apartment complex, for example, you need to include your apartment/room number. 

  • I am registered to vote, but I recently moved, do I have to re-register?

    It depends. Your ballot is going to automatically go to whatever address you used to register. If you included a mailing address, it will go there. If you have recently moved, you need to check your voter registration to see what address you registered with at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. Your ballot will go to that address and if you don’t live there anymore you will need to re-register to vote so that you can change your address to where you are currently located. Register to vote.

  • Do I need to re-register if I change my surname or political party?

    Yes. If you legally change your name or wish to change your registered political party, you need to re-register to vote at registertovote.ca.gov.

  • I still have questions. Who can I contact?

    For questions regarding voter engagement, contact the office of Student Life at ucrlife@ucr.edu 

  • Where can I drop off my ballot if I want to submit it myself?

    If you prefer to submit your vote-by-mail ballot in person, you can go to any vote center or drop off location — it's easy! Remember, UCR will be hosting a Vote Center at the Alumni & Visitors Center.

    • Nov. 2–4: from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 5: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • How can I find out where my ballot is?

    If you want to ensure that your ballot arrives safely and is counted, or you are curious about where it is — you can track your ballot! Go here for more info: sos.ca.gov/elections

  • Do I have that option to vote in person?

    If you prefer to vote in person, you still have that option. You can go to any vote center in your county and vote. You need to take your vote-by-mail ballot with you and turn it in. By surrendering your ballot, you can receive a brand new one and vote at the vote center. If you lost your ballot, never received it, or don’t have it on you at that moment, you can still vote at that voting center with a provisional ballot. You can find the closest vote center to you here: sos.ca.gov/elections

  • I missed the Oct. 21 online voter registration deadline. What can I do?

    If you miss the Oct. 21 deadline for online voter registration, you can still register in person. You can head to any vote center or to your County Registrar of Voters office to do so. You can even register to vote on the day of the election! There is no excuse!

    Remember, when voting in person, you have to go to a vote center that in the same county as the address you are using to register to vote. If not, your vote will be tossed!

    If you are already registered to vote in a different county, but you want to register to vote in Riverside County — you can do so by using whatever address you currently live in while attending UCR when registering/re-registering to vote. 

    Learn more.

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UCR's Student Registration and Voting

Find out how UCR's student registration and voting rates measure up:

Student Life