Where am I eligible to register and vote?
College students are legally eligible to vote either from their “permanent” home address, or where they have established a residence to attend school. If you are currently abroad but you plan to return to live at school or home, then you retain your right to register there. You may register in either location, and change from one to the other, but cannot maintain voting rights in two jurisdictions at once.
Have I missed my deadline?
Check registration deadlines and other important dates for the state(s) in which you are eligible to vote.
Can I vote in Brunswick this fall?
A student may register and vote in Brunswick if they either:
- live on campus this semester, or
- have lived in Brunswick before, are away from Bowdoin now (such as students studying abroad), and intend to return. If you are away from campus, you should be able to register and request an absentee ballot using your most recent local address (see residence hall street addresses).
For details on residency requirements, read Maine’s Voting Residency Fact Sheet.
I’m already registered in Brunswick – am I all set?
Most students who are registered in Brunswick DO need to re-register to update their residence address. These include students continuing to live on campus after registering last year. These students are no longer in the same residence hall, so they need to update their residence address by re-registering. This is important because different dorms are in different town districts and have different representatives for local races (school board, town council).
Students who are already registered in Brunswick and who are currently away from Bowdoin do not need to re-register. They may receive an absentee ballot at their current, temporary address simply by indicating that address on an absentee ballot request form (do not have it mailed to your Smith Union box). Make sure your Brunswick residence address at the top of the form matches the one the Clerk’s office currently has for you (see dorm addresses). The absentee ballot request form does not require attached proof of identity or proof of residency. It can be submitted online, or a completed form can be sent to the Town Clerk’s office via email, fax (207-725-6663), or USPS.
What documents do I need to register in Brunswick?
When any student submits a voter registration application by mail, they must attach documentation for it to be accepted. Along with your completed application, always enclose a copy of a photo ID. Your Bowdoin ID card is fine for this, although if your lived name (on Bowdoin ID) is notably different from your legal name, then you may want to use a state ID to avoid a discrepancy that could delay acceptance of your application.
Students that live off-campus must also provide proof of local residency. Students who currently live on campus do not need to attach proof of residency, as the Town Clerk will confirm it using a College directory.
Not sure where you’re registered?
Vote.org’s lookup tool lets you check whether you are registered at a particular address. For most accurate results, we recommend scrolling down on the vote.org site to use your state-specific lookup tool.
Still Have Questions?
Check our FAQ for answers to lots of specific questions not covered here, or email Bowdoin Votes.