FAQs
Mailing at Tufts
What is my mailing address?
When addressing mail, your address should be formatted as follows:
Full Name
Residence Hall & Room#
Tufts University
c/o 389 Boston Ave
Medford, MA 02155
Use this address if you’re trying to have election mail sent to you on-campus; this is the format that Tufts Mail Services indicates.
This is not the address you should use for voter registration if you intend to vote from your on-campus Tufts address. The actual address of your dorm and the mailing address Tufts would like you to use are different. Find more information about how to register at your on-campus address below.
How will I receive my election-related mail?
Students who live on campus:
In Miller Hall or Houston Hall: you will receive an email from Mail Services when you have election-related mail (such as your absentee ballot) that is ready to be picked up at the Mail Room in the basement of Hill Hall. This is the same procedure for regular mail.
If you are having trouble with your mailbox key or code, please contact ResidentialLife@tufts.edu as soon as possible.
Students who live off campus:
If you are a student living off campus and you happen to receive election-related mail to the main campus address, you will receive an email from Mail Services. You can choose to have it forwarded to an address that you provide (such as your home) OR pick it up at the Mail Room in the basement of Hill Hall. Please respond quickly.
For any other questions or concerns about your absentee ballot, please contact jumbovote@tufts.edu.
I feel like I should have received my ballot by now, but I haven’t. What should I do?
If your state has a ballot tracker, use that first. If your ballot has been mailed out and it should have reached campus at that point, email jumbovote@tufts.edu.
Where should my completed election mail go?
All election-related mail should be directed to your local election official. You can find more information about this in our state-by-state breakdown.
Before you send, be sure you have noted any special requirements — notarization, witness signatures, secrecy envelopes etc.
If you need help with notarization, witness signatures, secrecy envelopes email jumbovote@tufts.edu
Where can I find stamps and envelopes?
Stamps are available for purchase at the USPS store near Curtis Hall and in the Campus Center Info Booth.
How do I send out mail?
There is a USPS by Curtis hall. Find directions here.
Should I register to vote at Tufts or in my hometown?
You can register in either location, but NOT both!
Deciding where to vote can be a difficult decision. There is no best answer, but you may want to consider a number of factors: if you are more invested in community issues in the Tufts-area or at home, whether your state or district will have competitive elections, the significance of the youth vote in your area, or public health concerns about in-person voting due to the pandemic. Also, if you have a scholarship with residency requirements, note that changing your voting locations could change your eligibility.
If you are from Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, or Tennessee, and you did not register to vote in person, you may NOT vote by absentee ballot.
Can I register to vote at Tufts AND in my hometown?
No.
I think I already registered to vote at a different address, but I'm not sure. What should I do?
If you are not sure that you have registered or if you want to re-register at a different address, you should fill out a new voter registration form. Put the address where you want to be registered on the line that asks for your address, and if you think you were registered at another address, put that address on the line that asks you to list a former address.
You can also check your registration status here.
Voting by Mail
What is the difference between absentee voting and voting by mail?
Practically speaking, there is none! They both entail completing a ballot and mailing it in. Some states make a distinction between absentee and mail-in ballots (for example, in Pennsylvania, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements to vote absentee, but anyone can request a mail-in ballot). Some states, including Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington, conduct elections entirely by mail. Guidelines vary by state; check with your state’s election website to confirm you’re requesting the correct ballot. College students that cannot make it to their polling location or municipality on Election Day are eligible to vote absentee.
I’ve heard a lot about the vote-by-mail conversation recently and don’t know what to make of it. Should vote by mail be expanded?
There are many misconceptions and lots of misinformation about vote-by-mail, including that your vote won’t get counted, ballots get delivered incorrectly, and that it increases voter fraud. However, voting by mail is a completely valid form of voting. Especially now, when there’s a public health concern that prevents people from physically gathering together, vote-by-mail should be offered as an option with accessible information.
How can I request an absentee ballot?
You may request an absentee ballot from your local clerk.
JumboVote strongly encourages you to return your application ASAP (at least two weeks in advance of the deadline) to mitigate strain on USPS and to ensure you will receive your ballot in time and have your vote counted.
When should I apply for an absentee ballot?
Each state has its own deadlines and requirements for applying for an absentee ballot. JumboVote recommends allowing two weeks time for mailing. Remember absentee voting is a two step process, request and return (however, in states that automatically mail out ballots, voters do not have to request; check your state’s guidelines to learn more about the process for your state).
JumboVote strongly encourages you to request and return your application ASAP to mitigate strain on USPS and to ensure you will receive your ballot in time and have your vote counted.
Voting in Person
Where is my polling place?
Tufts
If you are registered in Medford, your polling place will likely be the Cousen’s Gym. You can find the polling places for on-campus housing here. You can enter your off-campus address here to find your polling place.
At home
If you are voting at home, you can find your polling place here.
Do I need identification?
Yes. Help America Vote Act mandated minimum identification requirements.
In MA, bring identification with your name and the address at which you are registered to vote. You may be asked to show identification at your polling place if you are voting for the first time in a MA election, you are an inactive voter, you are casting a provisional ballot, or the poll worker has reasonable suspicion that leads them to request ID.
What if I run into issues while voting at the polls?
If you are turned away at the polls, you are allowed to request a provisional ballot, and you are allowed to vote. You will be informed if your vote was counted after election day. You can also message @jumbovote on Instagram; we will have people monitoring the account on Election Day to quickly address the issue. Please do not leave—voting is your right.
Tufts’ voting hotline is (617) 627-VOTE.
Other
My ballot/absentee ballot request has a notarization requirement. Where can I find a notary?
If you are registering or voting absentee in AK, MO, MS, OK, WY or any other state that requires a notary, there will be notary hours available on Wednesdays at Tisch College. Please contact Joslin Regalado (joslin.regalado@tuft.edu) to schedule an appointment.
How has COVID-19 changed the election process?
COVID-19 has generated conversations about vote-by-mail in many states. To learn more about voting in your state, please visit our state-by-state guide.
In MA, a new law was passed to allow all registered voters to vote by mail in any 2020 election with no excuse required. In September, all registered voters will be mailed an absentee ballot request form to be completed and returned to your local election office no later than 4 business days before the election.
JumboVote strongly encourages you to return your application ASAP to mitigate strain on USPS and to ensure you will receive your ballot in time and have your vote counted.
How do I complete the census?
The census bureau is proceeding as if students are still residing in their college community (either on- or off-campus), NOT at a residence you may have relocated to. If you live on-campus at Tufts, the university should contact you to fill out the census.
If you are off-campus, please STILL fill out the census (the planned deadline is July 31, 2020). Make sure you are counted at your off-campus house/apartment, NOT at home!
Please DM @tuftscensusaction on Instagram if you still have questions!
I am unable to vote. What are other ways I can be civically engaged on campus?
Tufts has a vibrant civic community. Even if you cannot vote, you can join a political organization on campus and be involved in the political process. You can also volunteer, donate to organizations, and campaign for candidates.
How can I keep track of all the dates and requirements?
Our editable voting plan allows users to type directly on the doc to keep track of deadlines and requirements.
I need help. Is there a way I can talk to someone?
You can contact us at @jumbovote on Instagram and Facebook, via our contact form, or by email at jumbovote@tufts.edu. We would be happy to answer any of your voting questions and/or walk you through the process!
Ask us questions when you see us in Carm, Dewick, and the CC!
You may also call Tufts’ voting hotline at (617) 627-VOTE (not yet running 9/11/22)