We outline how to register to vote in every USA state, who can register to vote and who can’t, when to register, and which states allow same-day registration.
In accordance with Articles I and II of the US Constitution is the way and manner in which federal and state elections are carried out, set by the states. Since each state has its own electoral procedures and regulations, it is important to check with your country or the local electoral office to find out your state’s specific electoral rules. Voting registration is required to vote in elections in all states except North Dakota.
- Basic rules of voting: short guide
- Who can legally vote?
- Who can’t legally vote?
- Checking your electoral district
- Which locations can you register at?
- Registering by email
- Registering to vote as a member of a political party
- Check for confirmation after you register
- What information do you need to provide?
- When to register to vote: the time limits to comply
- Requirements for voting on election day: 5 things to take with you
- How to register to vote in each state and territory
Basic rules of voting: short guide
With the exception of the country-specific rules, the basic voting steps are almost the same everywhere.
- Voter registration is required in all states except North Dakota.
- Every state allows postal voting.
- Most states instruct voters to vote at specific polling stations or polling stations.
- The US Election Assistance Commission lists the dates and deadlines for voting in federal elections by state.
Who can legally vote?
Voter registration is the process used by the government to ensure that anyone voting in an election is legally entitled to vote in the right place and only vote once.
To register in any state, you must be a US citizen, be at least 18 years old by the next election, and be a resident of the state. Most, but not all, states also have two other rules: you cannot be a criminal (someone who has committed a serious crime) and you cannot be mentally incompetent. In some places, you can vote in local elections even if you are not a US citizen. To check the rules for your state, call your electoral office.
To register to vote, you must provide the government office holding the elections in your place of residence with your correct name, current address, and other personal information. It can be a county, state, or city office.
Who can’t legally vote?
The right to vote is not universal. Some people may not vote, depending on their circumstances and state law.
- Non-citizens, including permanent legal residents ( green card holders ), are not allowed to vote in any state.
- Some people convicted of crimes cannot vote.
- These regulations may vary from state to state.
- In some states, people who have been legally declared mentally incapable cannot vote.
Checking your electoral district
When you log on to register for the vote, check the polling station address and determine in which electoral district you vote. Voting in the right place is important as it depends on where you live who you get to vote for. For example, if you live on one particular street, you may have a group of candidates for the city council. If you live on the next block, you may find yourself in a different ward and choosing completely different people. Typically, people in a constituency (or borough) all vote in the same place. Most constituencies are quite small, although a district can stretch for miles in rural areas.
Whenever you move house, you should register or re-register to vote to ensure you are always voting in the right place. College students residing outside of their permanent place of residence can usually legally enroll at one of their addresses.
Which locations can you register at?
Because state, city, and county elections are held, the rules for registering to vote are not the same everywhere. However, there are a few laws for each state: For example, the Motor Voter Act in the United States requires motor vehicle offices to provide voter registration application forms.
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 requires states to offer voter registration forms in all offices that offer public assistance. These include state and local government buildings such as public libraries, schools, city and district clerk offices (including marriage certificate offices), fishing and hunting license offices, state revenue (tax) offices, unemployment compensation offices, and offices providing services to individuals with disabilities.
Registering by email
You can also register in most states to vote by email. Call your local polling office and ask them to send you a voter registration application, or go online to download and print the form yourself. Then just fill it in and mail it to your local electoral office. Visit the US Vote Foundation’s official electoral directory to find contact information for your office.
Registering to vote as a member of a political party
Party affiliation : Most registration forms will ask you to choose your party affiliation. If you wish, you can register as a member of any political party, including Republicans, Democrats, Greens, libertarians, and other third parties . You can also register as “independent” or “no party”. Note that some states will not let you vote in the primaries without choosing a party affiliation when registering. But even if you never vote for a political party or vote on a party primary, you can vote for a candidate in the general election.
Most political parties set up voter registration stations in public places such as shopping centers and colleges. They may be trying to get you to register as a member of their political party, but you don’t have to do so in order to register to vote. Some states require you to vote for the political party with which you are registered in the primary and caucus elections. However, all registered voters can vote for any candidate they elect in the general election.
Check for confirmation after you register
Filling out the voter registration form does not make you automatically registered. Sometimes application forms are lost, not filled out correctly, or some other error occurs that prevents an application from being accepted. If in a few weeks you haven’t received a card from the polling station telling you that you are registered, give them a call. If there is a problem, request a new registration form, carefully fill it out and send it back. The voter registration card you get will likely tell you exactly where to go to vote. Keep your voter registration card in a safe place.
What information do you need to provide?
Voter registration application forms vary by state, county, or city. However, they always ask for your name, address, date of birth, and US citizenship status. You’ll also need to provide your driver’s license number in case you have one or the last four digits of your social security number. If you don’t have a driver’s license or a social security number, the state will assign you a voter identification number, which is intended to help the state keep track of voters. Carefully review the form including the back to see the rules for the place where you live.
When to register to vote: the time limits to comply
Many states require you to register at least 30 days before election day. However, some states are much more accommodating. In Connecticut, for example, you can register seven days before an election. Iowa and Massachusetts accept applications up to 10 days in advance. According to federal law, you do not have to register more than 30 days before the election. Please visit the US Election Assistance Commission website for details on state filing deadlines .
As of 2019, 21 states and the District of Columbia were allowing same day registration (however, check for updates as this can change):
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
In all of these states except North Carolina (where same-day registration is only available during early voting), you can go to the polling station, register, and vote at the same time. Bring ID, proof of address, and anything else state requires Therefore. In North Dakota, you can vote without registering.
Requirements for voting on election day: 5 things to take with you
The requirements for voting are different in each state. Of course, there are some very basic qualifications that every voter must meet before exercising their right to vote in local, state and federal elections . To vote, you must be a US citizen, at least 18 years of age, resident in the constituency where you are voting, and most importantly, registered to vote.
Even if you meet all the requirements, depending on the rules in your state, you may be banned from the voting booth in the next general election . (In fact, several states recently introduced laws changing previous requirements. To ensure your vote counts, bring the following items to your local polling station, whether you think you need them or not.
1. Photo identification such as a government issued driver’s license card
A growing number of states are passing controversial voter identification laws that require citizens to prove they are who they say they are before entering the voting booth. If you have any questions, check the electoral requirements for your district. by calling your local voter or visiting the registration page or visiting the US Election Assistance Commission website.
Many states with such voter laws accept driver’s licenses and similar government-issued photo IDs, including those for military personnel, state or federal employees, and students. Even if your state doesn’t have a voter identification law, it is always a good idea to show you identification. In some states, first-time voters are required to present identification.
2. Voter registration card
Most jurisdictions are required to issue voter registration cards every few years that include the name, address, polling station and, in some cases, party affiliation of each voter. Make sure your voter registration card is up to date and bring it with you when you want to vote.
3. Phone number of your local election office
Photo ID? Check. Voter registration card? Check. You may think you’re ready to go, but you can still run into issues that can prevent you from successfully casting your vote. Problems like a lack of accessible parking or amenities, no support for voters with limited English skills, confusing ballot papers, and even no privacy in the voting booth are election day nightmares. Fortunately, there are channels through which Americans can report voting problems .
It is advisable to check your county government’s website for the phone number of your local election office (or the blue pages if you still use a phone book). If you run into problems, call your electoral board or file a complaint. You can also speak to an election judge or other staff on duty who can help you at the polling station.
4. Voter Guide
Look out for your local newspaper in the days and weeks leading up to an election. Most publish voter guides that include the biographies of the candidates who appear on your local ballot and their party affiliations, as well as details of where they stand on issues that are important to you and your community.
Good government groups, including the League of Women Voters, publish impartial voter guides that can help you make informed decisions. As a US citizen, you can take such materials into the voting booth. A note of caution: be careful with brochures published by political party interest groups or political parties.
5. List of polling stations
Even if you’ve proven who you say you are by showing valid ID, there is still the potential for trouble with the surveys. When you come to the vote, the polling officers will check your name against a list of voters registered at that polling station. What if it doesn’t have your name on it? Your polling station will be listed on your voter registration card. If you’re in the right place and your name isn’t on the list, request a preliminary vote.
Or what if you show up at a place you think is the right polling station and then learn, “Sorry, you are in the wrong place” or worse, the polling station you have been voting at for years have been moved or removed? ( Gerrymandering made this problem much worse.)
If you find yourself in this situation, you may be able to cast a preliminary ballot. However, it can be just as easy to get to the appropriate polling station – provided you know where it is. Before polling day, get an up-to-date list of polling stations and share them with the neighbors in your district, especially if your polling station has changed.
How to register to vote in each state and territory
How to register to vote in Alabama
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote on the election website. You can confirm your registration status on their website.
Registration deadlines
- Online: 15 days before Election Day
- Register by mail: Must be postmarked 15 days before Election Day
- In person registration: 15 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Alaska
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote on the election website.
Registration deadlines
- Online: 30 days before Election Day
- Register by mail: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
- In person registration: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in American Samoa
Register only at your local election office. Find more information and confirm registration on the election website.
Registration deadlines
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Arizona
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote on the election website. You can confirm your registration status on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 29 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 29 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Arkansas
You cannot do an online registration. However, the election website outlines that you can register via downloading the relevant form as a pdf, and you ou can confirm your registration status on the website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in California
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote on the election website. You can confirm your registration status on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 15 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 15 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 15 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Colorado
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote on the election website. You can confirm your registration status on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 8 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 8 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Connecticut
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote on the election website. You can confirm your registration status on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 7 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 7 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Delaware
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 4th Saturday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 4th Saturday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 4th Saturday before Election Day
How to register to vote in District of Columbia
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be recieved 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Florida
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 29 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 29 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Georgia
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 5th Monday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by 5th Monday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 5th Monday before Election Day
How to register to vote in Guam
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 10 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 10 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 10 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Hawaii
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 30 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and includig Election Day
How to register to vote in Idaho
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 25 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 25 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 25 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Illinois
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 16 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be recieved 28 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Indiana
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 29 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 29 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Iowa
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 11 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received 11 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Kansas
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Kentucky
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 4th Monday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received by the 4th Monday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 4th Monday before Election Day
How to register to vote in Louisiana
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 20 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Maine
Online not available, but use the website to determine where to register or download the national registration form and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be recieved 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Maryland
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Massachusetts
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 20 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 20 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 20 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Michigan
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 15 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 15 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 15 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Minnesota
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be recieved 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Mississippi
You cannot do an online registration but can find out where to register and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Missouri
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 4th Wednesday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 4th Wednesday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 4th Wednesday before Election Day
How to register to vote in Montana
You cannot do an online registration but can find out where to register or download the national voter registration form as a pdf and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Nebraska
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 3rd Friday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 3rd Friday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 2nd Friday before Election Day
How to register to vote in Nevada
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: Thursday before early voting begins
Register by mail deadline: 4th Tuesday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 4th Tuesday before Election Day
How to register to vote in New Hampshire
You cannot do an online registration, but can find out where register in person at your local election office and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in New Jersey
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in New Mexico
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 28 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 28 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Saturday before Election Day
How to register to vote in NY New York
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 25 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 25 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 25 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in North Carolina
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 25 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 25 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Same day registration during early voting period
How to register to vote in North Dakota
Registration is not required in North Dakota. Go to their website for more information.
How to register to vote in Northern Mariana Islands
Register in person at the election office. Find out more information and confirm your voter registration status on their website.
Registration deadlines
In person registration deadline: 60 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Ohio
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 30 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Oklahoma
You cannot do an online registration and but can find out where to register or download the national voter registration form as a pdf and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 25 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 25 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Oregon
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Pennsylvania
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 15 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 15 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 15 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Puerto Rico
You cannot do an online registration but can register at your local election office and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
In person registration deadline: 50 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Rhode Island
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 30 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in South Carolina
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 30 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in South Dakota
You cannot do an online registration but can find out where to register to vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 15 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 15 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Tennessee
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 30 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Texas
You cannot do an online registration and but can find out how register to vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in US Virgin Islands
You cannot do an online registration but can find out where to register to vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
In person registration deadline: 30 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Utah
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 11 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received 11 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Vermont
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: Friday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be received Friday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Virginia
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 22 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 22 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 22 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Washington
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 8 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be recieved 8 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in West Virginia
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 21 days before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 21 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: 21 days before Election Day
How to register to vote in Wisconsin
You can do an online registration and also register to do a mail vote or in-person vote and confirm your registration status via those different pages on their website.
Registration deadlines
Online: 3rd Wednesday before Election Day
Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked by 3rd Wednesday before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
How to register to vote in Wyoming
You cannot do an online registration but can find out where to register to vote or download the national voter registration form as a pdf.
Registration deadlines
Register by mail deadline: Must be received 14 days before Election Day
In person registration deadline: Up to and including Election Day
Last updated on July 27, 2021. Please check against the latest information on your local election office website.
Image by John Mounsey from Pixabay
