SAGE VOTES is a comprehensive, non-partisan initiative whose mission is to promote student voter registration, voter participation and voter awareness through on-campus and virtual activities. Our committee consists of students, faculty and staff.

For more information, check out Election Resources on the Sage Votes Google site.

Election Resources

Want to stay informed? Sage community members get free access to the New York Times.

Voter Registration Table on Campus

Why College Voters Matter

Feel like your vote won’t really make a difference? Wondering whether taking the time to register and vote is worth it? Your voice matters—and college students have the opportunity to make a real impact in our communities, states, and country. These reasons why you should vote as a college student should give you some food for thought—and motivation:

  • In the 2024 presidential election, 53% of eligible college students voted, according to the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE). That represents nearly 9 million college students whose voting records were included in the study.
  • A single vote can make a big difference. In fact, there have been more than a dozen races decided by a single vote or ending in a tie over the last 20 years.
  • A Vermont State Senate Democratic primary in 2016 was determined by a single vote out of more than 7,400 cast.
  • Nearly 50 million young people, ages 18-29, will be eligible to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. Young voters have the potential to influence election results and make their voices heard in our democracy. Gen Z has voted at higher rates than previous generations did when they were the same age and have grown into a major political force beyond electoral politics, creating and leading movements grounded in social change.

The SAGE VOTES Campaign is designed with YOU in mind as a resource to mobilize YOUR political force.

How to Register and Vote in College

College students are always busy, so registering to vote may be a low-priority. You may be surprised to find that registering to vote is actually a quick and easy process, and the SAGE VOTES committee is here to provide many opportunities to get registered on campus and online. These steps can help make the process even easier:

1) Where do you want to register?

You will have to decide in which state and county you want to vote. Out-of-state students need to figure out if they want to register in New York or from your state of origin. When making this decision, you should consider:

Local Issues

If you want to participate in Albany or Troy elections, registering in New York is necessary.

Swing State/Battleground State Status

Students may feel their vote has more of an impact if they can cast it in a state that is fairly evenly divided between liberal and conservative voters.

Ease of Absentee Voting

If getting an absentee ballot for your home state requires extra hoops to jump through, you may prefer to register in New York State instead.

2) Check Deadlines and Eligibility

Each state has different voter registration deadlines and eligibility requirements, so you should give yourself time to check these requirements and make sure you are eligible before starting the registration process.

Click here to see what your state’s eligibility requirements are.

3) Deciding on a Party Affiliation

When registering to vote, you can select a political party affiliation. While you may choose not to affiliate with any of the major political parties, it may prevent you from being able to participate in caucuses and primary elections. Closed primaries, for instance, are generally reserved for members of the Democratic and Republican parties to determine the candidate that will represent each group in the main election.

It’s important to note that “Independent” and “Nonpartisan” are not the same. The American Independent Party is a large third party that people often register under, assuming it means they will be unaffiliated with a political party. Those who do not want to declare a political party should choose “Nonpartisan” or “Unaffiliated”.

If you’re undecided on your affiliation, it may be helpful to research the various parties and their stands on current issues. Here is a quiz to help determine which party you would like to affiliate.

4) Registering to Vote

Registering to vote is a relatively simple process, and can be done in a few different ways. In general, registrants will need to fill out a form and provide some type of approved ID, like a driver’s license. A social security card may also be required.

In Person

The Sage Votes Committee will host various voter registration tabling events on the Albany and Troy campuses to help facilitate voter registration.

Online

Online registration is available in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Vote.gov can help students determine if online registration is available in your state and, if so, direct you to the right form.

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.

5) Absentee & Mail-In Voting

Not going to be near your polling location on Election Day? Voting by mail may be an option.

New York State students: New York offers both Early Mail Ballots and Absentee Ballots. Any registered New York voter can apply for an Early Mail Ballot without providing a reason. If you are registered to vote in New York and would prefer to vote by mail, you can request your ballot through the New York State Board of Elections.

Out-of-state students: If you are registered to vote in your home state, you may be able to vote by mail from New York. Voting-by-mail rules, eligibility requirements, application processes, and deadlines vary by state. Check with your home state’s election office for the most up-to-date information and request your ballot well in advance of Election Day.

Once you receive your ballot:

  1. Read the instructions carefully. Each state has its own requirements for completing and returning a mail ballot.
  2. Complete your ballot according to the instructions provided.
  3. Return your ballot before the deadline. Depending on your state, ballots may need to be postmarked by a certain date and/or received by the election office by a specific deadline.
  4. Give yourself plenty of time. Don’t wait until Election Day to request or return a mail ballot. Processing and postal delivery can take time.
  5. Track your ballot when possible. Many states provide online tools that allow voters to check the status of their ballot.

New York State Resources

For New York voters, visit the New York State Board of Elections to:

  • Check voter registration information
  • Request an Early Mail or Absentee Ballot
  • Find election deadlines
  • Learn about Early Voting and Election Day voting
  • Find your local Board of Elections

Important: Election rules and deadlines can change. Always verify the current requirements with your state’s official election office before submitting a ballot.

Need help figuring out where you’re registered or how to request a mail ballot? Contact the Sage Votes committee at sagevotes@sage.edu.

6) Go and Vote!

When Election Day arrives, it’s time to go vote! Before that, though, you should confirm your polling location and times if you plan to vote in person. You should make sure you have any necessary ID. If you need more information about getting yourself to the polls, please contact sagevotes@sage.edu.

Those who mail in their votes can prepare their ballots early to be sure they get them postmarked by the designated deadline. Students should be careful to follow all instructions and make sure their ballot is complete before mailing it in.

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