Faculty Toolkit
Faculty members can help make civic participation more accessible by connecting students with reliable information and practical voting resources. Young adults have historically participated in elections at lower rates than older age groups, making access to clear, timely information especially important for college students.
Small Moments Can Make a Difference
You don't need to dedicate an entire class session to voting. A few minutes can give students a chance to learn where to find reliable information, check their registration, and understand their voting options.
The goal is not to tell students how to vote. It is to make it easier for them to access accurate information and make their own informed decisions.
4 Ways to Support Student Voting
Make Time for Civic Information
Set aside a few minutes during class to remind students that election resources are available. Invite students to check their registration, learn about voting options, or explore nonpartisan information.
A brief reminder can also help students who may be voting for the first time understand where to start.
Put Resources Where Students Are
Add the Huskies Vote page to your Canvas course, syllabus, course announcements, or presentation slides.
You can also share the UW Libraries' nonpartisan elections guide as a starting point for researching news, candidates, issues, and voting information.
Use Timely Reminders
Short reminders can help students stay aware of important dates and give them time to make their own voting plans. Consider sharing reminders at key moments throughout the election cycle:
- Start of the quarter: Remind students to check their registration and make a voting plan.
- One week before Election Day: Encourage students to check deadlines and make a plan to return their ballot.
- Day before Election Day: Share a final reminder about voting deadlines and available resources.
- Election Day: Remind eligible Washington voters that in-person registration and updates are available through 8 p.m.
Model Civic Engagement
Faculty can normalize civic participation by acknowledging that voting and other forms of civic engagement are part of community life.
If you choose to share your own civic practices, keep the focus on the importance of participating and encourage students to explore information and make their own decisions.
Easy Ways to Integrate Voting Resources
Canvas
Add Huskies Vote to your course navigation, announcements, modules, or syllabus so students can find voting resources when they need them.
Class Slides
Add a Huskies Vote slide to your course presentation or spend a few minutes directing students to registration and voting resources.
Course Communications
Include a short reminder in a class announcement or email as an election approaches, especially when registration or ballot deadlines are coming up.
Looking for voting information? Visit the UW Huskies Vote page to find information that your students will find useful.
2026 Washington General Election
For the November 3, 2026 General Election, online and mailed voter registrations must be received by October 26. Eligible Washington voters can register or update their registration in person through 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.
Make Civic Participation Easier to Access
A reminder, a Canvas link, or a few minutes of class time can help students find the information they need. Use the resources on this page to make civic information a visible and accessible part of the student experience.