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U.S. Federal Documents

Northwestern University Libraries have been a U.S. Federal Depository Library since 1876. Our collection includes materials in paper, microfiche, CD-ROM, DVD formats and online formats. This guide is based on a similar guide by Kelly Smith at UCSD.

Get Out & Vote!!

Whether you are registered to vote in Illinois or in your home state, this guide will connect you to explanations of the issues on the ballot.  Find the deadline for voter registration in your home state.  Many states offer registration by mail or online, but you need to do this 15-30 days before the election date.  Absentee ballot return deadlines also vary state to state

NUVotes is Northwestern's 50-state Voter Registration Hub, offered by the NU Office of Civic Engagement. 

Don't forget to vote!!

Be an Informed Voter!!

Register To Vote & Voter ID Assistance

Voter Registration

HowToVote and TurboVote provide up-to-date, free information about voter registration for all 50 states and the District of Columbia, in both English AND Spanish.   HowToVote requires no sign in while TurboVote requires a sign-in, but you can also request to be notified of all upcoming elections where you are registered to vote.

Voter ID Assistance

VoteRiders can help you with the following questions:

  • Do you need help getting government issued ID so that you can vote?
  • Do you need to know what kind of government ID is needed to vote in your state? 
  • Do you need to know what ID is needed to request a mail-in or absentee ballot? 

VoteRiders is completely nonpartisan, and works nationwide to provide voter ID education and assistance to all eligible voters who are in need. We equip voters with what they need to vote with confidence, knowing they cannot be turned away.

Related Guides

Vote in Illinois