Any student who is a U.S. citizen has the legal right to register to vote here in Kent, provided that you live here most of the year IF, AND ONLY IF, YOU HAVE A PASSPORT WITH YOU AS YOUR FORM OF ID.
To cast a ballot in Ohio, you must be pre-registered; you can鈥檛 just walk in and show ID. Even if you are pre-registered, you must have a passport as your form of ID. Keep in mind that you must register to vote by the deadline, Oct. 7. If you miss this deadline, you won鈥檛 be able to vote in this election, but you can prepare to register for the next one.
How to Register in Kent as an Out-of-State Student
Unless you plan to be at home on Election Day where you could vote in person while following your home state鈥檚 process, it is advised for you to request that your home state send an absentee ballot to your campus address, complete the ballot, and mail it back to the appropriate office at home.
Although requesting an absentee ballot is the most reliable option, you can choose to register online or with a paper form.
Online Registration
- Requires an Ohio driver鈥檚 license or Ohio identification card number. If you鈥檙e an out-of-state student, obtaining an Ohio driver鈥檚 license or state ID is an option, but it requires surrendering your home state license and could affect your financial aid, insurance policies, and more.
- To register online, please visit the .
Paper Form
- Alternatively, you can register using a paper form with the last four digits of your Social Security number, Driver's License number or State ID number.
- To obtain a paper form, visit the circulation desk located on the first floor of the Kent State Library, or download and print the from the Secretary of State's website.
Tips for Filling Out Your Form
- Make sure the written name matches your ID (including hyphens and special characters)
- For the address field, use your Kent-area address
- Make sure that you enter the county, not country
- Make sure that you provide your ID number
- The date next to the signature is not date of birth, but date of signature
Access a PDF copy of Ohio's Paper Voter Registration Form: