Get Prepared to Vote

Not sure what methods are available to vote, what will be on the ballot, or what to vote for? Voting shouldn't be a headache, so we've put this information together to make it easier for you. 

 

American Flags

Voting Methods

  • Vote-by-Mail (aka Absentee Ballot): Recommended for all students, especially those from other states or counties. If you are registered to vote in the state of Florida (or in most other states), you can request an "Absentee Ballot." This means that your official ballot is mailed to your mailing address, and you can research the candidates and issues and fill out your ballot, then send your ballot to your Elections office through the mail. This is the easiest method to vote, as you don't have to go back home and wait in line to vote on Election Day. We recommend that you use your campus mailbox (421 N. Woodland Blvd., DeLand, FL 32723) as your mailing address. You can sign up to Vote-by-Mail through TurboVote at stetson.turbovote.org. Note that your Elections office has to receive your absentee ballot by the time the polls close on Election Day (7 p.m. local time) in order for your ballot to be counted, so we recommend that you mail it in at least three days before the election. 
  • Early Voting: If you are registered to vote in the state of Florida and you are not voting by mail, then you can vote in person at several different locations before Election Day. Here in DeLand, early voting will be announced at a later date, but is located at the Department of Elections office, located at 1750 S. Woodland Blvd. (in the same plaza as the movie theatre and Gator's Dockside restaurant - about 3.5 miles from campus). Note that you can only vote early in Volusia County if you are registered to vote here in Volusia County; so, if you are from another county or state, we highly recommend you to sign up to Vote-by-Mail instead. Bring a photo ID with a signature (such as a driver's license) in order to vote.
  • Election Day: If by Election Day (November 8) you have not voted, then you need to vote in person at your designated precinct. Visit this website to find your precinct. Precincts are typically located within two miles of your address. Your precinct will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day; if you arrive but there is a long line to vote, you are legally permitted to still vote as long as you got in line by the 7 p.m. deadline. Bring a photo ID with a signature (such as a driver's license) in order to vote.

  • Download and Print your Sample Ballot: Unlike a test for your classes, you are allowed to know what is on the ballot before you vote, and you can even take a copy of the ballot and your notes with you when you vote! Your "Sample Ballot" is the exact list of candidates and amendments that you will be voting on in the election. If you are registered to vote here in Volusia County, you can download and print your Sample Ballot here after you type in your last name, birth date, and house number (which is "421" if you are registered using your on-campus mailbox) - just make sure to click on the "Sample Ballot" link under the "2020 General Election" section. We recommend that you print it out, research the candidates and amendments, write down your choices on your Sample Ballot, then bring your Sample Ballot with you when you are actually voting - it makes voting a lot less stressful and a lot faster for you.
  • Researching the Candidates and Amendments: Many great non-partisan resources exist for you to learn more about the issues in the election.
    • Local newspapers, such as the West Volusia Beacon, publish "Voters' Guides" that include major stances and questions/answers of the candidates.
    • Websites, such as I Side WithPolitiFact, Vote Smart, and the League of Women Voters.
    • Forums, such as the Presidential Debates, Vice Presidential Debate and the issue-based forums being hosted or watched here at Stetson
    • Weekly Wrap-Up, an informal conversation about the week's political news, hosted by the Stetson Votes team every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. on Zoom. No prior knowledge needed - all are welcome! Zoom link: https://stetson-edu.zoom.us/j/94141175413#success

  • You can track your mail ballot by accessing a Voter Information Lookup
    • Type in the information that it prompts you to. 
    • It will bring up a page that will tell you whether or not your mail ballot has been counted. 
    • Give your mail ballot about one to two weeks to be counted.