BEAR DOWN & VOTE
As you start your journey on campus, registering to vote might not be at the top of your list. We get it, but remember: you can’t make a difference if you’re not registered. That’s why our Bear Down & Vote initiative is here—to raise awareness, provide education, and empower you to contribute positively to your community. Civic engagement is all about improving your community’s quality of life through both political and non-political means. Get involved, make your voice heard, and help shape the future!
Make a Plan to VOTE
• Set a Date: Make a plan for when you will vote. Allow extra time – there may be long lines on Election Day.
• Mail Your Ballot: Mail your ballot back by October 29, 2024.
• Vote In-Person: See our options below for early, emergency, and Election Day voting information.
Here is map of voting locations near campus.
Looking for public transportation to the vote center on Election Day? See the links below to plan your route:
i. Cat Tran Routes
ii. Sun Link Routes
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Join us for a Wildcat Town Hall
Voting and Elections in Arizona
Arizona Town Hall is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings diverse people together to solve critical and often divisive policy issues. Participants will engage in facilitated dialogue about voting and elections in Arizona.
When: Thursday, Oct 17, 2–5 p.m. Program 1:30–2 p.m. Check In and Refreshments
Where: University of Arizona. South REC - Mac Gym, 1400 E. 6th St., Tucson, AZ 85721
Admission is free; please register to attend.
ASUA Voting Workshop
Monday, Nov. 4
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. in the ASUA Classroom | Student Union, Suite 325
Register to Vote
If you are eligible and want to vote in the November election, you must register to vote before the application registration deadlines, which vary by state and territory. Learn more about registering to vote in your home state at vote.gov, where you will find a guide to voting and information for college students.
In the state of Arizona, Oct. 7 is the last day to register to vote. You can complete your Arizona voter registration online, by mail (postmarked Oct. 7), or in person.
Eligible voters who will turn 18 on or before Nov. 5 can register to vote by the Oct. 7 deadline.
Review the requirements for registering and voting in Arizona.
ASUA, the Pima County Recorder’s Office, and Elections Department will host a voter registration event on Wednesday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., on the UA Mall.
Learn more about registering and voting in Pima County.
Cast Your Vote
Voters registered in Pima County will have several options for casting their vote in person on or near the Tucson campus, including early and emergency voting at the Student Union on campus, and on Election Day at the conveniently located polling site at First United Methodist Church, just a 5-minute walk from Old Main and adjacent to the Tyndall Ave. parking garage.
Early voting – Student Union, Santa Cruz room, 3rd floor
Monday, Oct. 21 through Thursday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.*
Friday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
*Closed Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27.
Emergency voting – Student Union, Santa Cruz room, 3rd floor
Saturday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 4, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Election Day voting – First United Methodist Church, 915 E 4th St.
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m.
People registered to vote in other Arizona counties can find information about how to cast their vote on the Arizona Secretary of State website.
Resources for Coping with Political Stress
Politics impacts our daily lives, shaping how we live, work, and connect with others. When it causes mental or emotional strain, this is called political stress. Recognizing how politics affects you can help protect your well-being.
Campus Health’s Counseling & Psych Services (CAPS) created the Coping with Political Stress page where you will find practical coping strategies like managing stress, setting boundaries, and finding balanced ways to stay informed or involved.
Frequently Asked Questions for Students
A: Anyone who is a citizen of the United States and will be 18 years or older by Election Day is eligible to vote. Please note that if you have been convicted of a felony, you may not be eligible to participate.
For more information visit https://www.usa.gov/who-can-vote.
A: All four items below are required to register:
- A citizen of the US
- A resident of Arizona and the county listed on your registration 29 days prior to the election
- 18 years of age or older on or before the next general election
- You are able to write your name or make your mark (unless prevented by disability)
For more information visit: https://www.azcleanelections.gov/register-now
A: Yes! You can either choose to register to vote in Arizona or your home state.
A: Yes, you can register to vote using your educational address (AZ college state/address) not your mailing address (home state) if you meet the criteria to register in Arizona.
Please be sure to complete the Voter Registration Form correctly. Your college address (AZ) will be the address where you live box 3, but the address where you receive your mail should be your home state address, box 7. Arizona Voter Registration Form
For more information: https://vote.gov/guide-to-voting/college-student
A: Early voting allows registered voters in Arizona to vote at various locations throughout the state for 14-day period prior to the primary election and general election. Please note: In-person early voting requires you to vote in the county where you are registered to vote. For example, if your primary residence is in Pima County (and you used your primary address to register), you will have to vote in the county you are registered to vote.
For more information visit: https://azsos.gov/elections/voters/early-voting
A: Start by going to vote.gov. Select your state/territory and click "find out how to register." This will take you to state/territory-specific voter registration information. Each state has different deadlines for registering and requesting an absentee ballot/mail-in ballot.
California: California Absentee Ballots
Washington: Washington Absentee Ballots
Colorado: Colorado Absentee Ballots
Illinois: Illinois Absentee Ballots
Texas: Texas Absentee Ballots
A: To vote in Arizona, you will need to bring an ID card with your photo AND address matching your address you registered to vote with. If you are unable to bring an ID card with your photo and address, you will need to bring additional documentation to confirm your identity and address.
For more information about what identification and documentation is required and acceptable when you go to the polls to vote, visit: https://azsos.gov/elections/voters
A: No, you must be a US Citizen to vote.
A: A green card holder is not a US Citizen and may not vote in Federal Elections.
In the U.S., voting rights are reserved for U.S. citizens. This includes voting in federal presidential elections and most state and local elections. The U.S. Constitution and various federal laws regulate these rights, making it clear that non-citizens, including green card holders, are not eligible to participate in these elections.
A: Registering to vote in Arizona does not necessarily affect your driver’s license or car registration. However, as a new resident of Arizona, you may be required to make changes to your driver’s license or car registration regardless of whether you register to vote there.
For more information, Arizona Department of Transportation New to Arizona
A: When engaging in political or campaigning activities on campus, students (and all others) must comply with the University’s Campus Use Policy. https://policy.arizona.edu/ethics-and-conduct/campus-use-policy-interim
A: Student and student groups may host candidates on campus as long as the student or student group receives approval through the Campus Use/Mall Activity Request process. Such events are subject to the Campus Use Policyand all other applicable University policies.
A: Yes, although student workers must adhere to the university policy on political activity and lobbying (https://policy.arizona.edu/ethics-and-conduct/political-activity-and-lobbying-policy-interim). Please remember that the use of @arizona.edu email addresses is subject to the University’s Electronic Mail Policy (https://policy.arizona.edu/informaGon-technology/electronic-mail-policy).
A: Yes.
A: Federal-only voters vote in federal contests - President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives. To remove “Federal-only” status and receive a ballot that includes state and local races and ballot measures, you must provide proof of citizenship to the Pima County Recorder’s Office. You may contact them at (520) 724-4330 or learn more by visiting https://www.recorder.pima.gov/Docs/2024/240926_College%20Info%20Flyer%20-%20FINAL%20(1).pdf