How Do I Vote?

GVSU Votes! informational video

For Michiganders:

Check your voter registration status, register to vote, and find your polling place! Click this button to join the inter-campus competition (only for Michigan residents). This unique link will anonymously tally participants. Wayne State, Ferris, U of M, MSU, and more are also participating in this state-wide campus competition. Get registered below and show 'em that GVSU VOTES!

Visit michigan.gov/GVSUVotes

 

Out of State:

Check your voter registration status, register to vote, and find your polling place!

Visit vote.org 

Choose Your Voting Adventure!

Use this interactive module to create your voting plan. Many thanks to The Bridge E Learning Technologies for creating this resource. 

 

GVSU Votes! Voting Flow Chart

 

A ballot box with text that reads "GVSU Votes!"

Information for GVSU Student Voters

Nine days of early voting:

  • Register to vote and cast your ballot during the nine days of early voting in one of four locations in Ottawa County. For more information about dates and locations, please visit: www.miottawa.org/earlyvoting

You can use the GVSU Allendale Satellite Clerk's Office to:

  • Register to vote
  • Update your voter registration using your Allendale address
  • Request an absentee ballot and vote that ballot at the Allendale Township Hall (6676 Lake Michigan Dr. Allendale, MI) on Election Day (11/5/24) until polls close at 8 p.m.

On Election Day, November 5, 2024:

If you are a resident of Allendale:

- If you are already registered to vote in Allendale, you need to vote at the Allendale Township polling location (Life Stream Church, 6561 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, MI)

- If you are registered elsewhere in Michigan, you can update your voter registration to Allendale Township and vote in Allendale.

- If you are registered elsewhere in Michigan, you can go to your home polling location and cast your vote.

If you are a resident of Georgetown Township (Campus View Apartments, South Campus Living Centers, south of Pierce Street and east of 48th Ave.), you need to register at the Georgetown Township Clerk’s Office (1515 Baldwin Street, Jenison, MI 49429) and vote in Georgetown Township.

*To check your registration status and confirm your polling location, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Nine days of early voting:

Cast your ballot during the nine days of early voting in one of four locations in the City of Grand Rapids:

  • Sts. Peter and Paul School - 1430 Quarry NW
  • GRPS University - 1400 Fuller NE
  • Ottawa Hills High School - 2055 Rosewood SE
  • DeVos Place (NOVEMBER ONLY)

The closest location to GVSU downtown campus is at Sts. Peter and Paul School (1430 Quarry, NW).

For more information and locations, please visit:  https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Residents/Elections/Early-Voting

You can go to the Grand Rapids City Clerk's Office (300 Monroe, NW) to:

Register to vote.

Update your voter registration using your Grand Rapids address.

Request an absentee ballot and vote that ballot.

 

On Election Day, November 5, 2024:

If you are a resident of Grand Rapids:

- If you are already registered to vote in Grand Rapids, check  Michigan Voter Information Center   to find your polling location.

- If you are registered elsewhere in Michigan, you can update your voter registration to Grand Rapids and vote in Grand Rapids.

- If you are registered elsewhere in Michigan, you can go to your home polling location and cast your vote.

*To check your registration status and confirm your polling location, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Registered Out-of-State, or in Michigan, but not in Allendale, Georgetown, or Grand Rapids:

  • You have two options: you can either vote where you are registered at your home address, or you can re-register to vote based on your housing location on/near campus. It depends on what you find most convenient or doable for yourself. If you choose to register to vote based on your living situation in Allendale, Georgetown, or Grand Rapids, it may cut down on travel times to get back home to vote in the Early Voting period or on Election Day.
  • You may also choose to keep your home address registration and have your ballot mailed to you to vote absentee from your housing on or near campus. If you chose to vote absentee, you would want to make sure your ballot is postmarked at least 14 days prior to the Election Day to make sure it gets back in time for counting. 

Information about Absentee Voting:

  • In Michigan, we have no-excuse absentee voting. This means we can utilize the service for any reason (ex: because you want to/it is convenient). 
  • Must apply to vote absentee by 5pm on the Friday before the Election Day. If you’re already registered to vote at your home address, you can request an absent voter ballot in person at your clerk’s office anytime up to 4 p.m. on Election Day.
  • Allows you to vote wherever you are and research your candidates before submitting your ballots. 
  • To learn more about absentee voting, go to michigan.gov/vote and click on the “Vote at Home” tab header at the top of the webpage. 

Information about Early Voting:

  • Has only existed in Michigan since 2022; passed with a ballot proposal! 
  • “The early voting period lasts for at least 9 days, beginning the second Saturday prior to Election Day and ending the Sunday before an election. However, communities may decide to provide additional days of early voting.”
  • Early voting must be available 8 hours each day and can vary day to day. Some clerks are even offering evening hours. Check the times of your early voting site at michigan.gov/vote!
  • “Early voting sites do not automatically offer voter registration, so it is important to check your voter registration beforehand. However, if an early voting site is located at a clerk’s office or satellite office, voters may register to vote on site at the clerk’s office, and cast a ballot at the early voting site.”
  • To learn more about early voting, go to michigan.gov/vote and click on the “Early Voting” subsection on the left-hand side panel of links under the bolded “Voter Information”.

 

*To check your registration status and confirm your polling location, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.

“"Somewhere inside of all of us is the power to change the world."”

Roald Dahl


Page last modified October 17, 2024