Voting

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

Thus, registering to vote is one of the most important and exciting things you can do to impact the direction of our country and local communities.

The first step in the registration process is to check your voter registration status, which you can do through Vote.org, or by finding the Board of Elections in the location where you’d like to register to vote.

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.

Election laws vary widely by state. 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 Vote.org which 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, the Board of Elections will have to mail you your form, and you will then return it, once completed and signed, to the proper destination. You can also print and complete the forms yourself and mail them.

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 Center for Community Engagement in Lattimore 107.

The Center for Community Engagement is here to help, and we'll do our best to walk you through the process in a non-partisan way, respecting the privacy of your vote. If you have any further questions, please stop in to see us or email community.engagement@rochester.edu.

Absentee Voting

If you are registered to vote 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 Vote.org. Once you complete the form, you can print it out yourself, finish any other necessary fields, and mail it to the correct address for the Board of Elections in the location where you registered.

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.

Polling Locations

Where you vote locally on election day depends on the address at which you registered to vote. Vote.org can help you find your polling site in any state. Students living in campus housing on the River Campus should register using this address:

500 Wilson Boulevard
Rochester, NY 14627

The polling site for all students, as well as those who reside at the Flats at Brooks Crossing and Riverview Apartments is:

Plymouth Gardens Apartments
1400 South Plymouth Avenue
Rochester, NY 14611

Polling sites for other addresses in Monroe County

Polling sites for any other addresses in New York

Early Voting

For those registered to vote in Monroe County, early voting runs from Saturday, October 24, through Sunday, November 1. Anyone registered to vote in Monroe County can vote at any of the early voting polling sites; the one closest to the University's River Campus will be located at Staybridge Suites Hotel just across the river. 

Early voting in other states varies; you can learn more through Vote.org. 

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 Faculty and 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.