Washington

• Look at this PowerPoint to learn how to fill out an absentee ballot and contact us at sewaneevotes@sewanee.edu if you have any further questions.

• Important Dates

• Getting Started

• Visit Sewanee’s TurboVote page to receive help with registering to vote or voting

• TurboVote can help students with things like:

• Requesting and submitting absentee ballots
• Registering to vote, updating voter information, or checking voter registration
• Receiving election information

• You can also visit Washington’s voter registration page for similar assistance and information

• Registering to vote by mail

• Only use this option if for some reason you are unable to register/update online. For example, register by mail if you don’t have a WA Driver’s License/State ID.
• To register by mail, print and mail the form linked above to your local elections authority.

• Registration Deadlines
• Remember to check up on your registration status here and if it is not updated within 2 weeks of your submission, contact your local election authority
• As a college student should I use my school or home address to vote?

• Many students prefer to register in their home state especially if they’re planning to move back after college. If you’re registered to vote in your home state, though, make sure to request an absentee ballot.
• You can register to vote in your college state as long as you aren’t also registered to vote in your home state. You can only vote in the state you’re registered in. Some students prefer to register in their college state if they’re involved in things like local political organizations or activist groups.

• Students with scholarships or tuition that require residency should check with their financial aid office before registering to vote back home. For example, if you have a scholarship that requires Washington residency, you should ensure that registering to vote in a different state will not affect your status.

• You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family's home or the place where you attend school.

• Absentee Voting

• You can request an absentee ballot through TurboVote or another source, but all Colorado residents who are registered voters automatically receive a mail ballot at the address they provided with their voter registration.

• If you want to receive your ballot while you’re at Sewanee, make sure to update your voter registration with your campus address.

• Absentee Ballot Submission Deadlines
• Absentee Ballot Tracker
• After you receive and complete your ballot, send it to your local elections authority.
• You can read more about your state’s absentee ballot rules here
• Voter ID Laws

• If you've voted in Washington before, registered in person, or provided ID at the time of registration, you don't need to provide ID to vote by mail.
• If you're voting in Washington for the first time, registered to vote by mail, and didn't provide ID when you registered, be sure to enclose a copy of your photo ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address when you return your ballot.

• Read this article to learn about how your state may verify absentee ballots. There’s also a chance your ballot may tell you it needs to be signed in the presence of a witness or notary public, so if this applies to you see the How to Vote Absentee PowerPoint for more information.

• Common Issues and Questions

• What if I don't have a WA Driver's License/State ID and/or SSN?

• If you don’t have a WA Driver’s License/State ID you can still register to vote/submit an absentee ballot by using your social security number (SSN). It’s better to use your Driver’s License/State ID, though.
• If you don’t have a WA State ID or SSN, you can submit a provisional application with outdated or blank ID/SSN information. The Secretary of State’s office will then send an identification notice to your current mailing address asking for updated ID information or an alternative form of identification.
• Acceptable proof of ID documents include any of the following that show your current home address:

• A valid enrollment card of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington state
• A copy of a current utility bill
• A current bank statement
• A copy of a current government check
• A copy of a current paycheck
• A government document (other than a voter registration card)

• What if the name or address on my ID is incorrect?

• The name or address on your ID doesn’t have to be current, however, you must provide an up-to-date name, home, and mailing address for your voter registration. This means that if your information has changed since you last registered to vote, you need to update/re-register.

• Does where I register to vote affect my financial aid?

• No, it will not affect any federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, Perkins and Stafford Loans, Academic Competitive Grants, SMART Grants, and other federal loans. Some private scholarships and grants are designated for residents of a particular place, so it is good to check with the administrator of the program to see how they determine residency.

• Does where I register to vote affect my health insurance?

• No, where you register to vote will not affect your health insurance.

• Does where I register to vote affect whether my parents can claim me on their taxes?

• No, a parent can still claim a child on their taxes, no matter where they are registered to vote.

• Make sure that your signature on anything you submit regarding voting (e.g., absentee ballots or voter registration) matches the one on your WA State ID/Driver’s License
• You can still vote absentee if you’re studying abroad. Usa.gov is a great resource for anyone needing to vote overseas.

• Read more FAQ here

• Resources

• Columbia College’s Washington Voting Guide
• Tips for Registering & Voting on Campus
• Voting in College Know Your Rights