Voter Registration

Voter Checklist

Step 1: Register To Vote

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024 the United States will have elections for numerous important government positions including the President of the United States, Congressional Representatives and Senators and many others. Use the link below to register to vote. It only takes a few minutes. The deadline to register to vote online in California is Monday, October 21, 2024.

Register to Vote

Step 2: Research Candidates and Political Parties

An informed voter makes an informed choice. Before filling out your ballot, make sure to research candidates for office, political parties and ballot initiatives.

Visiting a candidate's website, listening to interviews and watching debates can also help voters stay informed. Using multiple sources and evaluating sources for accuracy remains one of the best ways to get good information.

It can also help to find out what's on your ballot. In addition to national races, your ballot will probably contain multiple state and local races. You might also need to vote on referendums and initiatives. Check your sample ballot for all items. You can find all this information on Biola’s TurboVote site.

Step 3: Check State Rules and Regulations

Before election day, check your state's rules and regulations. First, find out when you can vote. Most states offer early voting before the election, and most polling locations stay open for at least 12 hours on election day.

It's a good idea to check your voter registration before your state's deadline to apply to confirm that the state received and processed your application to vote.

First time voters in 2024 should also plan to bring identification to the polls. Some states only accept a valid photo identification, while others accept non-photo ID. States that use all mail-in ballots do not require identification. Checking your registration status can be done through Biola’s TurboVote site.

Step 4: Find Your Polling Place

State election offices assign polling locations based on a voter’s address. If you aren’t sure where to go to vote, you can either contact your election office or visit Biola’s TurboVote site.

Step 5: Cast Your Ballot

The final step in “voting 101” is voting! Some voters cast a ballot in person at an early voting location or at their polling place on election day. These voters will need to ask an election worker for a ballot, sign their name, and fill out their ballot. In some states, you might need to show identification. As long as you get in line before the polling hours end in your state, you can vote.

For voters who choose a mail-in ballot, the state will send a ballot to their address. After filling out the ballot and signing their name, voters can return the ballot by mail or via a ballot drop box.

Events

Departments on campus are participating in a series on faith and politics this fall. We encourage you to join us. Check out the opportunities below.

Week	Event/Program
9/25 6–7:30 p.m.	Bridging Biola Monthly Debate. Bridging Biola hosts monthly debates on campus in addition to classroom debates. Bridging Biola is a student club and member of Braver Angels’ College Debates and Discourse Alliance. The club brings together Biola community members who are interested in bridging the political divide through learning to share diverse opinions with an engaged audience in a civil manner. The goal is not to change peoples’ minds, but rather their temperament toward the other side through a deeper understanding of individual experiences and perspectives. Location: Lehman Conference Room in Upper Metzger
10/2	Chapel. Join Faculty Member Tim Milosch who will speak on Corinthians and politics. Learn more here.
10/7	Chapel. Join Professor of Political Science Scott Waller who will speak on Corinthians and politics. Learn more here. Lecture: Join us and hear from American Enterprise Institute guest lecturer Daniel Cox who will discuss “The 2024 Election and The Emerging Gen Z Gender Gap in American Politics” in business room 220 at 6 p.m.
10/17	SEID Symposium: Each semester, the SEID symposiums challenge the hearts and minds of Biola students by engaging in biblically-centered discourse that tackles difficult social issues facing our current society. Join SEID as we explore the U.S. housing shortage and homelessness crisis from 6 to 8 p.m. A multidisciplinary panel will discuss its complexities and how we must stay sensitive to such a massive problem. Location: Kim Dining Room
10/19	Love La Mirada. Join the Biola community in a day of serving the city of La Mirada.
10/23	Bridging Biola Monthly Debate. Bridging Biola hosts monthly debates on campus in addition to classroom debates. Bridging Biola is a student club and member of Braver Angels’ College Debates and Discourse Alliance. The club brings together Biola community members who are interested in bridging the political divide through learning to share diverse opinions with an engaged audience in a civil manner. The goal is not to change peoples’ minds, but rather their temperament toward the other side through a deeper understanding of individual experiences and perspectives. Location: Lehman Conference Room in Upper Metzger
10/23	Winsome Conviction Project and Housing and Residence Life Present: Disagreement without Drama. Come hear from Professor of Communication Tim Muehlhoff at 7:30 p.m. as he speaks to students from all of Biola's residence halls on how to engage in perspective-taking with a person who holds a vastly different political view. Location: Ethel Lee Auditorium
11/4	Chapel: Come hear Isaac Blois on how to respond to the elections with love and civility.
11/5	Election Night Watch Party. Hosted by the Political Science Department at Fireside Pavilion at 5 p.m. After Dark Chapel. Come hear from Chad Miller on responding to the elections with love and civility. Learn more here.
11/6	Chapel: Come hear from Professor of Communication Tim Muehlhoff about the elections. Learn more here.
11/20	Bridging Biola Monthly Debate. Bridging Biola hosts monthly debates on campus in addition to classroom debates. Bridging Biola is a student club and member of Braver Angels’ College Debates and Discourse Alliance. The club brings together Biola community members who are interested in bridging the political divide through learning to share diverse opinions with an engaged audience in a civil manner. The goal is not to change peoples’ minds, but rather their temperament toward the other side through a deeper understanding of individual experiences and perspectives. Location: Lehman Conference Room in Upper Metzger
12/9	Bridging Biola Monthly Debate. Bridging Biola hosts monthly debates on campus in addition to classroom debates.  Bridging Biola is a student club and member of Braver Angels’ College Debates and Discourse Alliance. The club brings together Biola community members who are interested in bridging the political divide through learning to share diverse opinions with an engaged audience in a civil manner. The goal is not to change peoples’ minds, but rather their temperament toward the other side through a deeper understanding of individual experiences and perspectives. Location: Lehman Conference Room in Upper Metzger