While 80 million people across the U.S. have already voted in the 2024 general election, today is officially Election Day, with polls opening in Ohio at 6:30 a.m.
While 80 million people across the U.S. have already voted in the 2024 general election, today is officially Election Day, with polls opening in Ohio at 6:30 a.m. Given Case Western Reserve University’s status as a Voter-Friendly Campus due to its high levels of voter engagement and education and President Eric W. Kaler’s position on the President’s Council of the national ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge—an initiative aimed to foster voter turnout and promote nonpartisan civic engagement—The Daily is sharing a few voting tips and resources to help you make a plan to get out the vote.
Know where to go
Be sure you know where to vote based on your registered address. Anyone can use the state of Ohio’s voter lookup tool to check your registration status and find your polling location. Students registered to vote with their campus addresses can simply check the Center for Civic Engagement and Learning’s (CCEL) polling locations page.
Know what you need
Voters in Ohio must show a valid ID to vote in person, such as:
- An unexpired Ohio driver’s license or Ohio state identification card with present or former address so long as your present residential address is in the pollbook,
- Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV,
- A U.S. passport/passport card,
- A U.S. military ID card,
- An Ohio National Guard ID card, or
- A U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs ID card.
For more information on voter ID requirements, visit the CCEL website.
Know how to get there
Students registered to vote with an on-campus address can hop on a free shuttle to three polling locations: Mary McLeod Bethune School, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and John Hay High School. These shuttles, sponsored by CCEL and the Office of the President, will run on continuous loops from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. The shuttles are free, but all students must register on CampusGroups to take a shuttle.
Know what’s on the ballot
At CWRU, we’re all about education. So before you hit the voting booth, be sure to check what’s on your ballot and do your research on how you want to vote. You can also view a sample ballot, like this one for Cuyahoga County.
Know your support resources
Elections can be stressful, regardless of the outcome. University Health & Counseling Services has compiled a list of ways to cope with election stress—before, during and after—from self-care strategies to unplugging and more. Plus, CCEL has a list of post-election resources that can help you navigate heightened emotions and stress.
Students who are struggling or anxious may connect with Talk Now (through TimelyCare) for immediate mental health support at any time, or they can schedule a same- or next-day mental health visit with University Health & Counseling Services through myhealthconnect.case.edu. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff have access to Impact Solutions for free, confidential, around-the-clock support.
For more election resources, visit the CCEL website.