UMD students are encouraged to register to vote and exercise their right to have a voice in our democracy! The 1998 reauthorization of the federal Higher Education Act includes a requirement that higher education institutions make a “good faith effort” to make mail voter registration forms available to all enrolled students. Schools may also comply with this requirement by providing a link to a website where the form can be downloaded.
The Minnesota State Statutes include requirements for UMD to provide voter information to our students. The Minnesota Secretary of State's website has a special section for college students.
The City of Duluth has information on elections and voter services.
These federal, state, and local government efforts to encourage college student voting support UMD's goals of developing leadership and citizenship in our students.
Important Deadlines
The next Election Day in Minnesota is March 5!
- The deadline to register online is 11:59 p.m., 21 days before Election Day.
- The deadline to register on paper is 5 p.m., 21 days before Election Day.
Decide Where You Reside
You can only vote from the address where you "reside." Your residence is the place you consider your home, from which you have no current intent to move. As a college student, if you consider your campus residence as your home, you may vote at that address, but if you consider your parents’ address (or some other address) as your home, you must vote from that address. Of course, you can only vote from one address in each election. This website has information about voting in Minnesota.
If you live on campus and register to vote from that address, your polling place is located in Kirby Student Center.
If you wish to vote in another state, use vote.gov to find information on how to register and submit an absentee ballot.
Register to Vote - Before Election Day
The Minnesota Secretary of State Website provides options to register online or download a Voter Registration Application form. Forms in English are also available at the Kirby Welcome Desk on campus where they may be dropped off after completion. The Minnesota Secretary of State Website provides an option to request forms in other languages.
Register to Vote - On Election Day
In Minnesota, you also have the right to register and vote on Election Day when you provide proof of residence. Information about registering on Election Day is found on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Absentee Voting
If you are going to be somewhere other than your residence on Election Day (including out of the country or studying abroad), you can still vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballot applications and instructions are available on the Minnesota Secretary of State website. Options include voting absentee by mail and in person. In addition, the website provides additional information for military members and individuals who are abroad. For the fall 2023 general election, these deadlines apply.
- You can apply for an absentee mail-in ballot any time during the year, except the day of the election. Your returned ballot must be received by Election Day.
- For the 2024 presidential primary election, the first day to vote early in person is Friday, January 19 and the last day to vote early in person is Monday, March 4.
Campus Coordinator and Voter Engagement Plan
UMD's campus vote coordinator is Associate Vice Chancellor Jeremy Leiferman (218.726.8501). AVC Leiferman will be working with the UMD Student Government Association and other campus stakeholders to develop a voter engagement plan that will be linked to this website.