Beacons Cast Ballots
About
Beacons Cast Ballots is a Valparaiso University Student Life Division initiative that works to increase student participation in elections and civic engagement. The Student Life Division will coordinate and host a variety of initiatives to address voter registration and education on campus for elections.
Why Do Beacons Vote?
Valparaiso University students are preparing to lead and serve in both church and society upon completion of their degree. By voting, you are actively supporting decisions around education, jobs, safety, health care, taxes, social security, community infrastructure and more. All things impacted by voting shape the world in which we live and the communities that students will be actively serving. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard and to advocate for the systems we engage with daily.
Voter Registration
College students can choose where they register to vote. You can either register in your hometown and complete mail-in voting, or you can register to vote in Porter County. To be eligible you must be a U.S. Citizen and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day.
If you don’t remember if you are registered to vote, you are able to check your voter registration status at www.vote411.org/check-registration. You will select the state you believe you registered in and be redirected to your state’s registration lookup site.
If you are registering to vote in your home state, visit https://www.vote411.org/register. Select your home state and fill out the voter registration information.
If you are registering to vote in Indiana with an Indiana Driver’s License or Indiana state-issued ID, visit indianavoters.com and select “Register to vote.” If you are registering to vote in Indiana for the first time as a college student, you must be able to present documentation at the poll to confirm your Indiana address:
- Indiana Driver’s License or Indiana State Identification Card, with the voter’s current name and address
- Any current and valid photo ID issued by the U.S. government, State of Indiana or a Native American Indian tribe or band recognized by the United States government that contains the voter’s current name and address
- A current utility bill, with the voter’s current name and address
- A bank statement, with the voter’s current name and address
- Government check with the voter’s current name and address
- Paycheck with the voter’s current name and address
- Other government document that shows voter’s current name and address
You may request an absentee ballot after you are registered to vote. Every state has its own guidelines and deadlines for absentee or mail-in voting. To find more information about requesting a ballot in your state, visit: www.vote411.org/select-state.
Many states require voters to show an acceptable form of photo identification with their photo and an expiration date. The following are considered acceptable in Indiana:
- Indiana Driver’s License
- Indiana state-issued ID
- United States Passport
- A military or veterans ID (no expiration date needed)
Early voting allows you to cast your ballot before Election Day to avoid lines and waiting at the polls. These are set days and hours for each election. The general election early voting dates in Porter County are October 12- November 7, 2022. Below are the locations closest to campus:
Porter County Administration Building
155 Indiana Ave., Suite 102A
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Union Township Fire Station #2
267 N. 600 W.
Valparaiso, IN 46385
Valparaiso Fire Training Center
355 Evans Ave.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
If you plan to vote on election day, Vote Centers in Porter County can be found by visiting, www.porterco.org/172/Vote-Center-Locations.
If you are registered outside of Porter County or in another state, visit: www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/.
It is important to show up to the polls informed about what candidates and policies may be on your ballot. Be prepared to cast an informed vote that aligns with your values and morals. To learn more about what will appear in your personalized ballot, visit: www.vote411.org/ballot.
If you plan to vote on election day, Vote Centers in Porter County can be found by visiting, www.porterco.org/172/Vote-Center-Locations.
If you are registered outside of Porter County or in another state, visit: www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/.
For questions about voting, email student.life@valpo.edu.
For reminders about voting, follow @ValpoStudentLife on Instagram or Valparaiso University Student Life Facebook.