WellesleyVotes is a nonpartisan initiative that explores our shared commitment to democracy and democratic values. This fall, we will host activities and events focused on some of the issues and ideas on the ballot. And, we will ensure everyone on campus has the resources available to make voting a priority.
Voting checklist
Follow these steps to make sure you’re ready for election day in November.
August
Before heading back to campus, make sure you have a game plan for voting.
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Check your registration status
Ensure your details are active and correct.
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Register early
Beat the rush and register before returning to campus.
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Build your plan
Set a calendar reminder for your state’s deadlines.
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Resources
- Review the state-by-state voter registration deadlines.
- Enter your address at TurboVote.org to get custom guidance on how to register, vote, and set up reminders.
September
Look for updates from your classmates and the College about upcoming voting registration events and other resources.
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Take action
Start thinking about how and when to find a notary to officially endorse your mail-in or absentee ballot. We’ll have resources available on-campus.
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Special state requirements
- Notary or Witness Signatures needed: AL, AK, LA, MS, MO, NC, OK, RI, SC, VA, WI.
- ID Copy required with ballot: AL, AR.
October
It’s “Postmark Month.” Keep an eye on the Career Ed Weekly Sunday digest, social media accounts, and Dean of Students Sheilah Horton’s newsletter for reminders.
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Mail it early
Send your ballot out during designated campus times to score campaign swag in partnership with the Committee for Political Engagement.
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Deadlines matter
Absentee and mail-in applications must be received by your state’s deadline, not just postmarked.
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Resources
Track your ballot and check Absentee Ballot Deadlines.
November
Be ready November 3.
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Midterm Election Day
Join the Wellesley community as the midterm polls close nationwide.
Upcoming events
Mark your calendar for these exciting WellesleyVotes events and keep an eye out for more to come!
October 5, 2026 at 12:45 p.m.
Tishman Commons
Join the Knapp Social Science Center and the Newhouse Center for an interdisciplinary faculty panel exploring one of the summer’s most widely discussed novels, Yesteryear. The story follows a modern “tradwife” influencer who is suddenly transported to the 1850s, where she must trade digital content creation for the rigorous realities of 19th-century daily life.
Wellesley faculty from across the humanities and social sciences will analyze the book’s key themes and their relevance to contemporary political discourse ahead of the 2026 midterms.
A limited number of free copies of the book will be available, starting in September, on a first-come, first-served basis (while supplies last).
October 18, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Online
The Wellesley Reads book selection for 2026 is New York Times Best-Seller Democracy in Retrograde by Emily Amick ’07 and Sami Sage. The Alumnae Association will host a virtual event with Emily Amick on Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m. ET. Democracy in Retrograde is available from all major book retailers as well as local libraries. We hope you’ll join Wellesley alumnae for our common read this summer!
*Please note this event is only open to Wellesley alumnae and to current Wellesley students as part of the 2026 Wellesley Votes initiative. Registrations will be reviewed and any non-alum/student registrations will be canceled.
November 10, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Pendleton East 239
As part of the Knapp Social Science Center’s Midterm Election Series, the Wellesley community is invited to a panel discussion examining the outcomes and broader implications of the 2026 midterm elections.
This nonpartisan forum offers a generative opportunity to reflect on the election results and explore what they mean for U.S. politics moving forward. Drawing on deep research in mass political behavior, our guest political scientists will analyze key dynamics shaping the American electorate, including racial politics, political trust, and the urban-rural divide.
Featured Panelists
- Dr. Jennifer Chudy, Associate Professor of Political Science Wellesley College; Director of the Knapp Social Science Center; Co-Director of Wellesley in Washington D.C.
- Dr. Sydney Carr Glenn, Assistant Professor of Political Science, College of the Holy Cross
- Dr. Kristin Lunz Trujillo, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Boston College
- Dr. Marques Zárate, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Brown University