UB Votes
The UB Votes initiative aims to engage the UB community in civic issues, and to support education and resources for students to be active and informed voters. UB as a non-partisan organization does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party. Federal law mandates that all colleges and universities in the United States make voter registration forms available to all students attending their institution who are eligible to vote.
United States voter eligibility
To be eligible to vote, you must:
- Be a citizen of the United States (includes those born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Be 18 years of age before the general election
- Not be serving a jail sentence or be on parole for a felony conviction
- Not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere
- Be a resident of the local in which you will be voting
Registering to vote in Connecticut
Check your CT voter registration status
- This is a good place to check to ensure your address is up to date and confirm your polling place.
Register to vote online
- To use the online registration system, you must have a current and valid CT driver’s license, learner’s permit, or non-driver photo identification issues by the CT Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and a signature on file with the DMV.
- This system can also be used to update your current address if you have moved since the last time you voted.
Register to vote in person or by mail
- Complete Voter Registration Form*
- * This must be received by the city 7 days before Election Day
- CT Voter Registration Forms are also available in the Office of Civic Engagement
- Find your local Registrar of Voter’s or Town Clerk’s office to find mailing address or physical drop off location.
- You may register using your residence hall address to be eligible to vote in the city of Bridgeport.
- If you chose to register to vote using your residence hall address and you are currently registered in your hometown or other permanent address please note that you will be removed from the voter list in that city or town.
Unless you are planning on changing your permanent residence to CT, you will need to register in the town/state of your permanent address. Please see additional instructions on how to register to vote in another state or visit your state’s website for more information.
Voting in Connecticut
Voting in person
- Find your polling place in CT (ensure that your polling place will be open or if it has changed from the regular location).
- Voting will take place on the first Tuesday in November between 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Be prepared with proper document(s) at the polling place.
Voting by mail
- Request Absentee Ballot Application
- Complete and return application (this will trigger your registrar’s office to mail you the official ballot).
- Complete and return ballot
- Must be delivered by Election Day (not just postmarked)
- Deliver to secure ballot dropbox located at City Hall or other locations in your community.
Registering to vote and voting outside of Connecticut
Voter registration guidelines and deadlines vary from state to state. Please check specifically for your state using vote.org or visit your state’s Secretary of State website.
Additional resources
- MyVoteCT: all CT-related voting information
- League of Women Voters: Register to vote/check your registration, candidate and ballot information.
- Rockthevote: National Student Engagement Organization
- Ballotpedia: Candidate information and ballot information
- Brennan Center For Justice: Policy and research