Most Fairfield University undergraduate students will be eligible to vote in the upcoming presidential election. A Fairfield Mirror/Rearview survey found that 85% of respondents will vote in the November election, with almost 80% of them voting in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts or New Jersey.
Students are encouraged to request a mail-in or absentee ballot from their state to participate in the election. While some students have started to receive their election mail, registered student voters still have a small window of time to request their ballots.
Here’s a state-by-state guide on absentee voting:
NEW YORK
Any New York registered voter can apply for an early mail ballot. Each person must apply for themselves.
The deadline to apply for an early mail ballot is Oct. 26. To request an early mail ballot, submit an online application using the state’s portal.
NYC Residents Only: Residents of New York City can use the city’s online Ballot Request Application portal.
Absentee ballots must be returned or postmarked by Nov. 5 and arrive at the County Board of Elections by Nov. 12.
For more information on elections in New York, visit elections.ny.gov.
MASSACHUSETTS
Every registered voter in Massachusetts is eligible to vote by mail without a reason.
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is 5 p.m. on Oct. 29. To request a mail ballot, complete the online application through the state’s Mail-in Ballot Application System and mail it to your county clerk.
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5 and should arrive at the local election office by 5 p.m. on Nov. 8.
For more information on elections in Massachusetts, visit www.sec.state.ma.us/divisions/elections/elections-and-voting.htm
NEW JERSEY
Every registered voter in New Jersey is eligible to request mail-in ballots.
The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot by mail is Oct. 29. To request a mail-in ballot, complete the Application for Vote-By-Mail Ballot and mail it to your county clerk.
Note: New Jersey does not allow online applications.
Your vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked on or before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day and received by your county’s Board of Elections on or before Nov. 11.
For more information on elections in New Jersey, visit vote.nj.gov.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut has strict laws regarding absentee voting and only offers it under certain circumstances to those who:
- Are active members of the armed forces
- Will be out of town on Election Day
- Sickness prevents them from voting in person on Election Day
- Have religious beliefs that prevent them from voting on Election Day
- Will perform duties as an election official at a polling place on Election Day
The deadline to apply for an absentee ballot is Nov. 4, but it is encouraged to leave time for your ballot to be mailed. To apply for an absentee ballot, complete the absentee ballot request online portal or download and complete the ballot application and return it to your local Town Clerk.
Your absentee ballot must be received before the closing of the polls on the day of the election to be counted.
For more information on elections in Connecticut, visit myvote.ct.gov.
