Can College Students Vote in US Elections?
Yes. A college student can generally vote in US elections if the student is a US citizen, will be at least 18 on the relevant Election Day, meets the state's residency rules, and registers by the deadline when registration is required. A student does not lose voting eligibility simply by living away from a family home to attend school.
Residency is the part that often causes confusion. Students may usually choose whether to register at their school address or maintain registration at a permanent home address, but they should register and vote in only one jurisdiction for a particular election. The details vary by state. A local election office can explain what documents establish residence, whether an identification rule applies, and how to vote in person or by mail. USAGov says a person can meet residency requirements even while experiencing homelessness, which illustrates that residency is about a genuine voting location, not necessarily property ownership.
The constitutional baseline is also important. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment says citizens who are 18 or older cannot have their voting rights denied or abridged by the United States or a state on account of age. Other constitutional provisions, federal statutes, and state laws govern registration, election administration, disabilities, criminal convictions, and specific offices. Noncitizens generally cannot vote in federal elections, although a few local jurisdictions have authorized limited noncitizen voting in local contests.
What about taxes?
The phrase “no taxation without representation” describes a historic political principle, not a general eligibility rule for modern US elections. Paying taxes is not a prerequisite for voting, and not paying federal income tax does not automatically remove a citizen's right to vote. Conversely, paying tuition, sales tax, payroll tax, or property tax does not allow a noncitizen to vote in a federal election. Citizenship, age, residency, and valid registration are the central questions.
A post attributed to commentator Tom Nichols that invokes taxation may be making a political argument rather than stating election law. The reliable way to resolve a student's situation is to check the state election authority, registration deadline, and ballot rules. Students should not rely on a social-media slogan, a campus rumor, or another voter's experience when the law differs across states.