Registering to vote

Note: This is current as of November 2004. If someone wants to update it, please do so!

Voter registration takes place on a local level. Each state has its own form. In order to get a ballot in your SU Box, you will need to complete two tasks: registering to vote and requesting an absentee or mail-in ballot. Registering is not enough!

Follow the state-specific directions. In every case, you will have to fill out and mail in a form. Adobe Acrobat (installed on all college computers) is required to open most of them. The Office of Community Service will pay for postage – please drop off fully and properly addressed envelopes at Siskind House (in the quad behind Schow), and we’ll put it in the mail. However, we are not responsible for the consequences if the form has been improperly filled out or the envelope incorrectly addressed. Please check that your form is complete BEFORE you send it or drop it off in Siskind.

Some states require you to request an application for absentee balloting. In this case, you will fill out the form, send it in (either physically or electronically), receive the application, fill it out, and mail it back in. You must follow this procedure in order to receive your absentee ballot.

Most forms will go to a county election office. The lists of the office addresses are included with the instructions. To determine your county, go to FVAP.gov. Most of them also have telephone numbers to allow you to check on the processing of your forms. If not, contact your Secretary of State at the office telephone number.

If you need to find a notary public, contact the Williamstown Town Clerk/Registrar of Voters at 458-9341.

Alabama

1. Fill out the National Voter Registration Application and check for Alabama guidelines in the state-specific instructions.

2. Fill out the absentee ballot request.

3. Mail everything and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver's license) to your county clerk.

Alaska

1. Fill out the National Voter Registration Application and check for Alaska guidelines in the state-specific instructions.

2. Fill out the absentee ballot request form

3a. Mail everything and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to: Alaska Division of Elections, Absentee Voting Section, PO Box 110017, Juneau, AK 99811-0017 Or fax it all to (907) 465-3203.

Arizona

Questions? (1-877-843-8683)

1a. Register online! or

1b. Print out the voter registration form.

2. Mail the printed form and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to your county clerk, then contact the clerk to request an early (i.e. absentee) ballot

Arkansas

1. Fill out the voter registration form.

2. Mail it and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver's license) to your county clerk, and then contact the clerk to request an absentee ballot.

California

1. Fill out the voter registration form.

2. Fill out the absentee ballot request form.

3. Mail everything and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to your county clerk.

Colorado

1. Fill out the voter registration form.

2. Fill out the absentee ballot request form.

3. Mail everything and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to your county clerk (addresses on the absentee form).

Connecticut

1. Fill out the voter registration form. 2. Fill out the absentee ballot request form. 3. Mail everything and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to your Town Clerk. (scroll down to get a list of towns)

Delaware

Requires notarization! Contact the Williamstown Town Clerk/Registrar of Voters at 458-9341.

1. Fill out the relevant portions of the National Voter Registration Application (Delaware-specific directions provided inside).

2. Fill out column 1 of the absentee ballot request form.

3. Get form notarized and mail it in.

District of Columbia

1. Fill out an application to register to vote. 2. Fill out an application for a mail-in ballot. 3. Mail everything and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to: District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 250 North, Washington, DC 20001

Florida

1. Fill out the voter registration form. 2. Mail it and a copy of a government-issued ID (driver’s license) to your particular county clerk.

3. Some counties have online request forms. If not, call them to request an application.