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Engaging with Your School Board in the 2020 General Election

Students are building power to address critical issues impacting young people by organizing around local and state school board races.

The majority of K-12 students are not old enough to vote, but the results of local and national elections heavily affect our educations. This election, we're contributing to historic youth voter turnout by emphasizing the races that have the most immediate impact on students' lives: school boards.

Through our District Direct Action Leadership Training, new action guides and voter registration tools, Student Voice is equipping young people with the resources they need to hold school board candidates accountable to the Student Bill of Rights.

Take action in your school district

Join the District Direct Action Leadership Training to receive the knowledge and resources to create change in your school district by organizing around school board elections, students on boards and more.

Join Now

Learn what your school board does

Visit our Engaging with Your School Board guide to learn how you can hold your district accountable to taking action on issues you care about, including testifying, petitioning, letter-writing and more.

Read the Guide

Host a school board town hall

Host a student-led town hall with the school board members in your district ahead of the election. Our toolkit provides all the information you need to get started.

Use the Toolkit

Host a live virtual town hall to talk with your community about school boards. We'll help provide the support you need to build power in your school district by directly engaging with decision-makers.

Get Started

Registering to Vote

Register online
‍Online registration is available in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Vote.gov can help students determine if online registration is available in their state and, if so, direct them to the right form. If your state offers online registration, use the form below to register.

Check your registration status

If you’re not sure if you’re registered to vote or believe your state may have recently purged voter registration rolls, you can check your voter registration status below.

Register in person
‍Especially during election season, students will find plenty of opportunities to register to vote in person. Often, canvassers walk around campus with registration forms and can help students fill them out. Student government representatives may stop by classrooms to hand out forms, as well. Otherwise, students can register to vote at their state or local election office, the DMV, armed services recruitment centers or public assistance offices.

By mail
‍Students can pick up a registration form in person or download one from their state’s voting webpage, fill it out and mail it in with any other necessary documents.

Set up election reminders‍

Ensure you never miss an important election! To receive text message notifications about when you can vote in local, state and national elections, sign up with your phone number below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I register to vote in my home state or college state?

‍You can register to vote in either your home state or where you attend college, but you cannot be registered in both locations. If you decide to register in your home state, you need to plan sign up for an absentee ballot. Absentee ballot regulations vary based on where you live. Be sure to research your state’s required process. Regardless, you will have the right to vote in the state of your choosing, as long as you have a temporary or permanent residence there.

How do I make sure my ballot arrives on time?

USPS recommends all ballots be postmarked at least one week prior to state election deadlines, and that ballots are requested at least 15 days prior. USPS collection boxes can be used to mail ballots, just be sure to verify the times mail is delivered and picked up. Many states are providing alternate ways of returning ballots. See your state elections website for specific details on ballot drop boxes and other resources.

Does where I register to vote affect my scholarships, financial aid, or in-state tuition status?

Your voting registration will not affect your financial aid or in-state tuition status. There is a slight chance that where you register to vote could affect your eligibility for certain state and private scholarships and grants, if you have received those scholarships and grants from organizations or agencies in your home state. Your school’s financial aid office should be able to provide additional information. In most cases, if your in-state or out-of-state residency does not change, your scholarships should not change either.

Do I have to change my drivers license when I register to vote?

‍Not necessarily, though depending on your state, you may need to present an official document with your name and current address on it. If your address has changed, you may need to provide your polling location with documentation that verifies your change of address. In most states, this documentation can be a utility bill or paycheck with your current address on it.

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