The General Election is quickly approaching on Tuesday, November 5, and Redbirds can make their voices heard in multiple ways. In partnership with the Voter Engagement Coalition, the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) has spent the last several months creating and implementing comprehensive plans to register, educate, and encourage student voter turnout while working to facilitate voter engagement efforts on campus. Illinois State University was recently recognized with the ALL IN’s Highly Established Action Plan Seal for its 2024 election cycle action plan.
All students registered in McLean County (except Bloomington residents) are eligible to vote at one of the on-campus locations for early voting and Election Day. Students who are first-time voters or who need to update their voter registration due to name or address change can register to vote online through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 20.
The CCE recommends using the University’s Turbo Vote portal to register, check registration, and learn about voting options both here in Illinois and in other states. When registering, students must make sure to enter the full address of where they plan to vote, including room or apartment number. If you miss the chance to register online, same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day in the state of Illinois. The Redbird Voter Guide contains information about campus polling locations and voter registration, including required ID, early voting, and voting by mail.
The Redbird Voter Guide also provides links to sample ballots and information about candidates so students can be prepared and informed before voting. Acknowledging that elections can prompt many difficult conversations about politics, post-election resources are provided to support faculty and staff in managing those conversations as well.
Students, faculty, and staff are highly encouraged to avoid long lines on election day and vote early at on-campus locations when possible. Early voting is also available at Eastland Mall and at the Government Center.
Early voting on campus
Early voting is available on campus at the Bone Student Center Founder’s Suite on the following dates:
- Monday, October 21–Friday, October 25, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Monday, October 28– Friday, November 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
More information is available through the Redbird Voter Guide.
Voting on Election Day
While early voting is highly encouraged, the Bone Student Center is also a vote center on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, 2024. All McLean County voters, except those who live in Bloomington, can vote in the Brown Ballroom at the Bone Student Center on Election Day. Polling place hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. All those in line by 7 p.m. are entitled to vote. Students who vote at the Bone Student Center can take photos with Reggie and make “I Voted” buttons at CCE’s Celebration Station on Election Day to share their participation and celebrate their voting experience.
Election Day Watch Party and Election Events
The Center for Civic Engagement is partnering with the School of Communication’s Social Media Analytics and Command Center, Illinois Wesleyan University’s Center for Engaged Learning, Devotees to Democracy, and Milner Library to host an election result watch party on November 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the third floor of Milner Library.
Results from the election will be broadcast from multiple major news networks as they come in. The School of Communication will also provide monitors from the Social Media Analytics Command Center to track social media trends and reactions. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch and discuss results with their peers, faculty, and staff, and engage in fun and informative activities while enjoying complimentary food.
The Events Hub in the Redbird Voter Guide features many additional events scheduled before and after the Election to help students, faculty, and staff learn about the democratic process, as well as wellness-focused sessions to provide resources for managing election-related stress.
