As a college student, you should register to vote in the county/state of your permanent residence address. Students do not gain or lose residence by attending college away from home. Answering the question, "Where's home?" may guide you in deciding where to register to vote.
Example 1
You grew up in Nashville/Davidson County and attend Belmont University. You live on campus. When your dorm closes, you move back to your parents’ home in Davidson County.
Since Nashville is home, register to vote using your parents’ address and either Early Vote or vote at your assigned polling location on Election Day.
Example 2
You grew up in Nashville/Davidson County and attend UT-Knoxville. You live on campus in Knoxville. When your dorm closes, you move back to your parents’ home in Davidson County.
Since Nashville is home, register to vote using your parents’ address and Early Vote, if you are home during the posted schedule OR vote at your assigned polling location, if you are home on Election Day OR request an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Note: If you register to vote online or by mail, you must vote in person the first time you vote. If you register in person with the Davidson County Election Commission, you are not required to vote in person the first time you vote and have the option of voting by absentee ballot.
Example 3
You grew up in Gallatin/Sumner County and attend David Lipscomb University. You live on campus. When your dorm closes, you move back to your parents’ home in Sumner County.
Since Gallatin is home, register to vote using your parents’ address and Early Vote in Sumner County OR vote at your assigned polling location in Sumner County on Election Day OR request an absentee ballot from Sumner County and vote by mail.
Note: If you register to vote online or by mail, you must vote in person the first time you vote in Sumner County. If you register in person with the Sumner County Election Commission, you are not required to vote in person the first time you vote and have the option of voting by absentee ballot.
Example 4
You grew up in Houston, TX and attend Tennessee State University. You live on campus. When your dorm closes, you move back to your parents’ home in Houston.
Since Houston is home, register to vote in Texas using your parents’ Houston address and familiarize yourself with voting requirements in your county/state. More than likely, you will need to vote by absentee ballot while away at school, so contact your local election commission office in Texas or go to www.eac.gov (U.S. Election Assistance Commission) for guidance.
Example 5
You grew up in Los Angeles, CA and attend Vanderbilt University. You live in an apartment in Nashville. You have registered your car in Davidson County, obtained a TN driver license, and list your apartment address on your tax returns.
Since you now consider Nashville home, register to vote in Davidson County using your apartment address and either Early Vote or vote at your assigned polling location on Election Day.