Censorship is UnAmericanRock the Vote engages youth in the political process by incorporating the entertainment community and youth culture into its activities. From actors to musicians, comedians to athletes, Rock the Vote harnesses cutting-edge trends and pop culture to make political participation cool.

Rock the Vote mobilizes young people to create positive social and political change in their lives and communities. The goal of Rock the Vote’s media campaigns and street team activities is to increase youth voter turnout. Rock the Vote coordinates voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote events, and voter education efforts, all with the intention of ensuring that young people take advantage of their right to vote.

Rock the Vote’s work doesn’t end when the polls close. We empower young people to create change in their communities and take action on the issues they care about. Regardless of whether youth are signing petitions, running for office, contacting their elected officials, or taking up a sign in protest, they are all rocking the vote.

2. IF YOU ARE A STUDENT, YOU CAN VOTE FROM SCHOOL
College students can register to vote wherever they consider “home”, including their school address. Unfortunately, some state election officials don’t seem to understand this reality and they attempt to prevent students from registering and voting, claiming they are not “permanent” residents. This is wrong – don’t let it happen to you! See our website for more information that you can use to fight back. We encourage students to vote from school. If you believe, however, that your vote would make a bigger impact at your parents’ address, and you can’t get back there for Election Day, you may be able to get an absentee ballot and vote by mail. See below.

3. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO VOTE FROM HOME
If you are pretty sure you won’t be in town or able to vote in person on Election Day, you may be able to get an absentee ballot and vote by mail. (However, you must already be registered to vote, so if you haven’t registered before, never mind.) If you are eligible, you should request a vote by mail ballot from your state. Deadlines vary from state to state so contact your elections division early—like now. Your state will send you the ballot; you just fill it out and mail it back. Usually the deadline for the state to receive the form is by close of the polls on Election Day or in some cases a few days before the election. Contact your elections division for the exact deadlines (see below). However, for residents of Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Nevada, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia: you can’t vote by mail if this is your first time voting, you have to vote in the flesh the first time.

4. USE THE WEB TO FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE
Sometimes, people lose the information about WHERE they are supposed to vote. Then the election arrives and they don’t vote. Don’t let that happen to you: check Rock the Vote’s website and we will give you that information (however, keep in mind that this information will not be available until pretty close to the election). You may also check your state’s website, or call your state at the number listed on page 2. This information should also be on the documents your state sends you once you register, so hold onto it.

5. BRING ID AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY WITH YOU
Basically, we think the safest thing for you to do is to bring government issued ID with you to the polls on Election Day. If your driver’s license or government ID matches the address you used to register to vote, that’s all you need. If this ID does not have the address that you used to register to vote, then you should bring a separate proof of residency document such as a financial aid letter from your school, a personal check that has your address on it, rent receipt, recent utility bill, etc. Pretty much everyone who uses the Internet to register to vote, or who is registering to vote for the first time at a particular address, is going to have to provide ID with residency. Check your state specific requirements. And if you forget on Election Day to bring your ID or you lose it for some reason, vote with a provisional ballot. Don’t leave without voting.

6. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED
You don’t have to be a genius or even politically oriented to be qualified to vote. Really, you just need to have an opinion. And in our experience, everyone has an opinion. We always encourage you to have an informed opinion and we have many resources on our website designed to help you learn about what is at stake and on the ballot. But don’t feel intimidated by the complexity of the issues – you don’t have to meet anyone else’s standard but your own. And secondly, the actual process for voting is really, really easy. It’s no harder than getting cash out of an ATM or filling out a standardized test. Don’t worry about it. Just vote.