Registration to vote in the U.S. can be done online, by mail or in person. To do so, the first step is to visit the website of your state or territory’s election commission. Each state and territory is in charge of its own rules for voter registration; because of this, the registration process, deadline and documents required to register vary from one state/territory to another. Vote.gov guides voters to their respective state election commission website to facilitate registration or alteration of their voting information, or to check their registration.
If you have recently turned 18, moved, changed your name or become a U.S. citizen, it is worth checking your registration rather than assuming it is already up to date.
Who Can Register to Vote in the U.S.?
Generally, you must be a U.S. citizen, meet your state’s residency requirements and be at least 18 by Election Day. Some states allow people under 18 to preregister so their registration is ready when they become eligible to vote.
There are additional state-specific rules, including requirements related to residency and eligibility after certain criminal convictions. Because these rules vary, your state’s election office is the right place to confirm your situation.
If you are a permanent resident but are not a U.S. citizen, you should not register to vote in federal elections. Vote.gov specifically warns that noncitizens should not register before becoming U.S. citizens.
How Do I Register to Vote Online?
In most states, you can register to vote online through your state election website.
The easiest route is to go through Vote.gov and select your state or territory. You will then be directed to the appropriate registration information.
The exact online form varies by state. You may be asked for information such as your name, address and other details needed to establish your eligibility.
Before submitting the application, check the spelling of your name and your address carefully. A small mistake can create a problem later when you try to check your registration or vote.
Can I Register to Vote by Mail?
Yes. You can use the National Mail Voter Registration Form in most states, although you must follow the instructions specific to your state.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission provides the national form and state-specific instructions. After completing it, you sign the form and send it to the appropriate state or local election office.
There are exceptions to where the national form can be used, so do not simply print it and mail it without checking the instructions for your state.
Mail registration also takes time. If an election is approaching, check your state’s deadline before relying on the postal option.
Can I Register to Vote in Person?
Yes. Depending on your state, you may be able to register at a state or local election office, a motor vehicle office or another designated government location.
The available locations differ from state to state. Vote.gov recommends checking your state’s election information before going in person.
Some states also allow registration close to Election Day or on Election Day itself. Others require voters to register earlier.
When is the Voter Registration Deadline?
There is no single national voter registration deadline.
Some states require registration well before Election Day, while others allow eligible voters to register on Election Day. Federal law generally requires states to accept registrations for federal elections through a date no more than 30 days before an election, although some states provide later registration opportunities.
The deadline can also depend on how you register. Online, mail and in-person applications may have different deadlines in some states.
That is one reason it is better to check your state’s election website instead of relying on a national deadline you saw online.
What Information Do I Need to Register to Vote?
The information required depends on your state, but voter registration forms generally ask for information that allows election officials to determine your eligibility and maintain an accurate voter record.
You may need information such as:
- Your legal name
- Your residential address
- Your mailing address, if different
- Your date of birth
- Information related to your eligibility
- A signature or electronic confirmation, depending on the registration method
Some states may require additional identification information or documents.
The National Mail Voter Registration Form contains state-specific instructions, so read the instructions for your state rather than assuming every state uses exactly the same requirements.
Do I Need a Voter Registration Card?
Not necessarily. A voter registration card may be mailed to you after you register, but you generally do not need the card itself to vote.
What matters is that your registration is correctly recorded and that you meet your state’s voting requirements. Some states have voter ID requirements, so registration and identification are separate issues.
If you receive a registration card, keep it with your important election information. More importantly, check your registration status before Election Day.
How Do I Check if I Am Registered to Vote?
You can check your voter registration through your state election website.
Vote.gov provides a state-by-state route for checking registration information. This is especially useful if you registered recently or have not voted for some time.
Check that:
- Your name is correct.
- Your current address is listed.
- Your registration status is active, where applicable.
- Your political party information is correct if your state uses party registration for primaries.
Checking ahead of time gives you an opportunity to correct an error before an election.
What If I Recently Moved?
You should update your voter registration when you move.
If you move to another state, you generally need to register in your new state. If you move within the same state, you may need to update your address rather than submit an entirely new registration.
Do not wait until Election Day to deal with an address change if you can avoid it. Registration deadlines and procedures differ by state.
What If I Changed My Name?
Update your voter registration after a legal name change.
The process varies by state. Some states may also require you to update related identification information.
Vote.gov recommends updating your registration before your state’s deadline and checking the state’s specific instructions.
Can I Register to Vote if I Am a New U.S. Citizen?
Yes. Once you are officially a U.S. citizen and otherwise eligible, you can register to vote.
Some new citizens may already have registered during their naturalization process. If you are unsure, check your registration rather than submitting another application unnecessarily.
If you have not registered, Vote.gov says you can register after your naturalization ceremony, provided you meet the other eligibility requirements.
Can I Register to Vote if I Live Outside the U.S.?
Yes. Eligible U.S. citizens living abroad can register and vote in U.S. elections.
Military members, their families and other U.S. citizens living overseas can use the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register and request an absentee ballot.
The rules can depend on your state of voting residence, so overseas voters should use the Federal Voting Assistance Program and their state election information rather than assuming the domestic registration process applies to them.
What Happens After I Register to Vote?
Election officials process your registration and add eligible voters to the state’s voter registration system.
You may receive a voter registration card, but the more useful step is to check your registration online and make sure the information is correct.
If your application is rejected or more information is needed, your state or local election office can explain what needs to be corrected.
A simple checklist before Election Day
- Confirm that you are eligible to vote.
- Register through your state election office.
- Check the registration deadline.
- Submit your application early enough for your registration method.
- Check your registration status afterward.
- Update your address or name if either has changed.
- Check your state’s voter ID and voting requirements separately.
The most important thing to remember about voter registration is that there is no single process for the entire country. The basic steps are similar, but deadlines and requirements are controlled largely at the state level. Start with your state’s official election information, complete the registration carefully and verify that your record is up to date before Election Day.
