First time voting? No problem! Whether it’s the legalization of marijuana, taxes, or choosing the next president, the UGL has got your back. Check out these resources for casting your vote on campus this election cycle.
Early voting
Did you know you don’t have to wait until Election Day to cast our vote? Early voting started Monday, October 24 and will continue all the way up to Election Day, Tuesday, November 8. There are nearly a dozen places in Champaign county where you can cast your vote and two places right here on campus. Voters can visit either the Federal Room in the basement of the Illini Union or the ARC (Activities and Recreation Center) to cast your ballot. Here’s the times and locations for early voting on campus:
Illini Union (Federal Room–basement)
1401 West Green Street, Urbana
- Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4: weekdays 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday, November 5: 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Sunday, November 6: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
ARC (Activities and Recreation Center)
201 E Peabody Dr, Champaign
- Monday, October 31 through Friday, November 4: 10:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday, November 5: 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Sunday, November 6: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Walk-up voter registration
If you forgot to register, it’s not too late. Voter registration is super easy. If you a 18 years old (or will be by Election Day) and a US citizen, then bring a photo ID/license and a piece of mail with your current Champaign/Urbana address to either the Union or the ARC. You can even register and vote on the same day! Not sure if you’re registered? Check our Illinois’ Registration Lookup: https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx
Getting to the polls
If you won’t be on campus on Election Day, no worries! There are nearly a dozen places around Champaign County where you can cast your vote. To make transportation even easier on Election Day, Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (CU-MTD), the bus system, is offering free bus rides all day. From 5:30am-7:30pm, no ID, pass, or cash is required to get your to a polling station.
https://www.cumtd.com/about-us/news/article/487/
Absentee ballots
If you’re not originally from Champaign County and you’re feeling some loyalty to your home precinct, it’s not too late to request a ballot by mail. Just make sure it’s received no later than November 3. Request an in-state ballot from the Illinois State Board of Elections.
https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/VotingByMail.aspx
What else can I vote for besides the presidential candidate?
There are multiple initiatives on the ballot and multiple positions “down-ballot” that need your input. To find more in-depth information on the issues and candidates, check out Illinois’ Voter’s Edge, an online tool developed in partnership with Illinois Public Media:
Taking selfies with your ballot?
Sorry, that’s against the rules. Voting is serious business here in Illinois. You’ll want to put your phone away once you pick up your ballot. In Illinois showing your marked ballot to another voter is a felony that can earn you up to three years in prison. So whether it’s in person, via text or Twitter, keep your ballot to yourself! Of course, if you want to share who you voted for, share away!
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/10/25/13389980/ballot-selfie-legal-illegal
Those are all the tips we’ve got for voting this election, but if you have specific questions, Tweet us @askundergrad or find us on Facebook!
