Voting

Voting is one of the key ways that you can contribute to the democratic process.

The University is partnering with Democracy Works to support online voter engagement through TurboVote. TurboVote helps students:

  • Check voter registration status
  • Register to vote
  • Request an absentee ballot
  • Sign up for election updates

Voter Registration

Registering to vote is one of the most important and exciting things you can do to impact the direction of our country.

The first step in the registration process is to check your voter registration status, which you can do through the TurboVote portal.

Where to Register

As a Rochester student, you can register to vote using your campus address or your home address. If you've already registered at home, you're welcome to re-register in Monroe County with your University address. This will automatically replace your existing registration at home—you don’t have to do anything else! Remember to update your registration every time you move.

The decision about where to register is completely up to you. Here are a few things to consider:

  • How do local politics and politicians impact the lives of Rochester students?
  • Is your home state a swing state?
  • Would you prefer to vote in person on Election Day, rather than by absentee ballot?
  • Are there closely contested races back home that you feel strongly about?

How to Register and Update your Address

Whether you want to register at home or at Rochester, you can do so using TurboVote. TurboVote will walk you through the process and help you complete the information to register.

For states with online voter registration, you’ll be able to submit your registration online. Otherwise, TurboVote can mail you your form along with a postage-paid envelope to send it, once signed, to the proper destination. You can also print and complete the forms yourself and mail them or bring them to the Common Connection in Wilson Commons, room 201, where we’ll mail it for you.

If you wish to register in Monroe County with your Rochester address, you can also get a paper copy of the New York State Voter registration form at the Common Connection in Wilson Commons 201.

CCE is here to help and we'll do our best to walk you through the process. If you have any further questions, please stop in to see us or email community.leadership@rochester.edu.

Absentee Voting

If you are registered outside of Monroe County (or in any location that you can't physically get to on Election Day), you'll need to request an absentee ballot. This can be done through TurboVote. Once you complete the form, you can have TurboVote print and send the form back to you, along with a postage-paid envelope, to submit it or you can print it out yourself, finish any other necessary fields, and submit it at the Common Connection in Wilson Commons, room 201. We're happy to mail it out.

An absentee ballot will be mailed to you, so make sure to include your full mailing address when you fill out your application. You then complete your ballot and mail it back to your local county board of elections. If your state laws allow, you can return your completed, sealed ballot at the Common Connection in Wilson Commons 201, and we'll mail it out for you.

Polling Locations

Where you vote locally on Election Day depends on the address at which you registered to vote:

River Campus, 500 Wilson Boulevard:
Saunders Research Building
265 Crittenden Blvd.

Riverview Apartments, Brooks Crossing Apartments:
Kennedy Towers
666 S Plymouth Ave.

Any other address in New York: check your polling location

Elected Officials

City of Rochester officials:

  • Mayor's Office: The Mayor’s Office is responsible for the administration of all city affairs, including approving and enforcing local laws.
  • City Council: The council sets fiscal policies and approves all spending for the City of Rochester. They are also responsible for the regulation of land use, including zoning laws. Council members will often propose new programs at the suggestion of city residents.
  • Rochester City School Board: The Rochester Board of Education is a seven-member board elected by the citizens of Rochester to direct and oversee the operations of the school district.

Monroe County officials:

National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement

Since 2012, Rochester has participated in the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE). Learn more about the University's registration and voting rates through their reports linked below.

Midterm election years:

Presidential election years:

For more information about other political engagement opportunities, visit our political engagement page.

For University Staff

The Office of Government and Community Relations also has resources on voting and political engagement, including political activity guidelines and policies ensuring your ability to vote.