Do you want to register to vote in Indiana? It is a violation of election law to challenge a voter solely on the basis that: (1) the voter is enrolled in an educational institution or; (2) the voter’s address on the registration record is at an address which is housing provided for students by an educational institution. (IC 3-5-4.5-2). Under Indiana law, each person who applies to register to vote must state the address of their "permanent residence." Permanent residence means where the person has their ‘permanent home and principal establishment" and where, when the person is away, the person has the "intention of returning." While some college students will want to retain the address they moved from in order to attend college as their permanent address, others will have reasons to change their permanent residence to their school address.

Establishing permanent residence in Indiana for purposes of voter registration can be tricky for college students because many to not have any of the allowed forms of proof of residency. Read through the information below to help determine if you will have the documentation needed to register and vote in Indiana. If not, see the information about registering using the address you came from in order to attend Earlham and requesting an absentee ballot from there in order to cast your vote by mail.

If you think you want to register to vote in Indiana …

Q. Do you currently have a driver’s license or state ID from a state other than Indiana?

If the answer is yes…

Indiana law requires you to get an Indiana driver’s license or state ID within 60 days of when you register to vote using an Indiana address. You will have to turn in your out-of-state driver’s license or ID when you get the Indiana one.

If the answer is no…

You will either need to obtain an Indiana driver’s license, state ID or free voter ID, all issued by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or you will have to use a Federally-issued photo ID that has your name and photo and expires on or after the date of the election. A passport can be used for this purpose, but if a passport is used, you must also present one of the acceptable proofs of your address described below.

Q. What can you use to prove your residence is in Richmond?

A. If you are trying to establish that you live at Earlham, you will need one of the documents below with the National Rd. address printed on it. You cannot use a box or drawer as your permanent address; the street address must appear on the document.

1. Indiana Driver’s License or Indiana State Identification Card, with the voter’s current name and address

2. Any current and valid photo ID that contains the voter’s current name and address (Student ID’s from private schools like Earlham are not considered valid voter ID in Indiana.)

3. A current utility bill, with the voter’s current name and address 4. A bank statement, with the voter’s current name and address 5. Government check with the voter’s current name and address 6. Paycheck with the voter’s current name and address 7. Other government document that shows voter’s current name and address

If you have any of the above, you should take it, along with your photo ID (e.g., your passport) when you go to the polls to vote.

Q. Could changing your residency affect your eligibility for scholarships or financial aid you are receiving?

A. If you receive scholarship money from a state, county or town, or a private entity (i.e. an entity other than the federal government) you should confirm with the entity providing the scholarship that residency in a particular place is not a requirement of the scholarship and/or that voter registration in your college community will not affect your eligibility.

Federal financial aid such as Pell Grants and Perkins and Stafford loans will not be affected by where you register to vote. Registering in your college community will also not affect your dependency status regarding FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Q. Can you register to vote in Richmond (Wayne County) if you’re from elsewhere in Indiana?

A. If you have an Indiana driver’s license or state ID, you can register to vote for the first time or change your address for voting purposes online at www.IndianaVoters.com using your driver’s license number. Keep in mind, though, that you are then required to get a new driver’s license within 60 days with the address you used to register. Students from elsewhere in Indiana also have the option of going home to vote or requesting an absentee ballot.

Q. You can’t/don’t want to register to vote in Indiana. How can you vote?

A. You can register to vote in your home state and request an absentee ballot via mail. Each state’s requirements related to registration. Absentee ballots and voter ID vary so be sure to read the requirements for your particular state carefully. In most cases, if you have a driver’s license or state ID with your current permanent address, you will have no difficulty registering and voting. Please note that first-time voters who registered to vote in Illinois, Michigan or Tennessee by mail may NOT vote via absentee ballot the first time they vote. They must vote in person the first time they vote.

To register to vote and/or request an absentee ballot, visit www.usvotefoundation.org. Click on “Voter Registration” or “Absentee Ballot” and follow the instructions to complete a form tailored to your state’s requirements.

IMPORTANT NOTES: These are not online forms. These forms must be printed out, signed and mailed. Be sure to read the first sheet in the PDF generated for instructions regarding where to mail your form and whether any additional documents must be mailed as these requirements vary from state to state.

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