Voter Registration

Registration Details

University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) 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. Universities may also comply with this requirement by providing a downloadable form. 

The Minnesota State Statutes include requirements for UMR to provide voter information to students. Students can access information via the Minnesota Secretary of State website and the City of Rochester elections and voter services.

These federal, state and local government efforts to encourage college student voting supports UMR's goals of developing leadership and citizenship. 

Please utilize the Making a Voter Plan to make a voting plan, and track your progression.

Important Deadlines

Upcoming Elections Days in Minnesota:

  • Primary Election - August 12
  • General Election - November 4

General Minnesota voter registration deadlines:

  • 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 may 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. You may only vote from one address in each election. Learn more about how to vote in Minnesota. 

If you live on campus and register to vote from that address, your polling place is located in University Square.

For students living at 318 Commons and Residence of Discovery Square, vote at: 

Edison Administrative Building
615 7th St SW
Rochester, MN 55902

If your primary residence is 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. The Minnesota Secretary of State provides an option to request forms in other languages.

Register to Vote - On Election Day

In Minnesota, residents have the right to register and vote on Election Day with proof of residence required. 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 may 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. The website provides additional information for military members and individuals who are abroad. 

  • 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.

Campus Coordinator and Voter Engagement Plan

UMR's campus vote coordinator is Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Heidi Anderson-Isaacson and Director of Community Engagement and Career Development, Bridget Tetteh-Batsa who will be working with UMR’s student government, Rochester Student Association and other campus stakeholders to develop a voter engagement plan that will be linked to this website. 

Learn More M Vote
UMR 2024 Action Plan