To cast a ballot in Ohio, you must be pre-registered; you can’t just walk in and show ID. Keep in mind that you must register to vote by the deadline, Oct. 7. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to vote in this election, but you can prepare to register for the next one.
How to Register in Kent as an Off-Campus Student
You have two options for registering to vote: online or using a paper form. Registration using the paper form is strongly encouraged.
1. Online Registration
Ohio residents can register to vote online using an Ohio driver's license or state ID. While it will not provide you with an opportunity for a quality check, online registration is instant and more convenient.
2. Paper Form Registration
Alternatively, you can register using a paper form with your Driver's License number, State ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. To obtain a paper form, visit the Services Desk located on the first floor of the Kent State Library.
Tips for Filling Out Your Form
- Make sure the written name matches your ID (including hyphens and special characters)
- For the address field, use your Kent-area address
- If you live in an apartment complex or community, check with your leasing office and/or complex staff to identify the proper address format to use
- Make sure that you enter the county, not country
- Make sure that you provide your ID number
- The date next to the signature is not date of birth, but date of signature
Once your form is complete, drop it off at the Services Desk on the first floor of the Kent State Library or submit it directly to the before the registration deadline of Oct. 7.
Access a PDF copy of Ohio's Paper Voter Registration Form: