Elections and Voter Registration
October 3, 2024 2:02 PM

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Education and democracy are inextricably linked. The advancement of each is a value that we hold dear as a public land-grant university. This fall, we encourage all eligible students, staff and faculty to make your voice heard with your vote. Doing so is one of the most productive ways to participate in our democracy. There are university resources available on the Illini Vote webpage to make it easy to register and to learn how and where to vote.

1. Register to vote. 

• You can register by mail until Oct. 8.
• You can register online until Oct. 20.
• You can register in-person during early voting until Nov. 4 or in-person during the day of the election on Nov. 5. (Please note you will need to bring documentation.)

If you are an out-of-state student or have additional questions, review this online FAQ for more information.

2. Research candidates. 

• Familiarize yourself with what will be on the ballot.
• Learn about each candidate and office.
• Consider preparing a ballot guide for election day.

Not sure where to start? Check out these online research resources.

3. Vote. 

• You can vote by mail. See this webpage if you live in Illinois or this webpage if you live in other states.
• You can vote in-person during early voting on campus, starting October 21 at the Illini Union.
• You can vote in-person on Election Day.

Find a polling location or early voting site. To find early voting locations in a different state, refer to your state’s voting information website. There are several Election Day voting sites on campus. You can learn more at the Illini Vote website.

National elections push us to engage in difficult conversations on potentially divisive issues. At Illinois, we pride ourselves on creating venues where we can participate in constructive dialogue on a range of topics. This is an essential part of the higher education experience. Listening to all ideas — even those we may oppose — makes us stronger thinkers and better participants in our communities.

The general election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The state legislature has not designated this day as a university holiday as it had in previous years. For this reason, we will hold regular work and class schedules on Election Day.

Generally, university employees are expected to vote during nonworking hours. However, the State of Illinois grants up to two hours of paid leave to vote under certain circumstances, especially if an employee’s hours conflict with polling hours. You may also consider early voting or vote-by-mail options.

Public universities have long been a place to engage in complex and nuanced civic debate. Let’s continue to be an example for our peers on how to participate in the democratic process while maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Jones
Chancellor