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Most states require you to sign up to vote in elections, a process called voter registration. The voter registration rules vary by state. In some states, you can pre-register, meaning you’re eligible to register to vote at 16 or 17 years old, but you cannot vote until you turn 18. If you will turn 18 by Election Day, you should register to vote ASAP. Learn more about registering to vote in your state.

You should register to vote where you currently live, or where you reside for the majority of the year. If you have moved recently, you may need to re-register to vote in your new location. If you are a college student, you have the option to register at your residence on campus or back at home.

Voter registration deadlines vary by state. In some, you may register any time up to and including on Election Day, while in others, you must register well ahead of that date. It’s important to be aware of the deadlines in your state to ensure you’re registered in time. The best time to register is NOW! Enter your address to learn about upcoming elections in your area and receive registration guidance.

You should double-check your voter registration status ahead of your state’s registration deadline to make sure all of the information is accurate. If you have moved or changed your name since the last time you registered to vote or if you want to change your political party, you should update your registration.

Depending on where you live, you may have different options! There are three different ways to register to vote – in person, by mail, or online. Each way to register has different rules and requirements, and deadlines may vary by type. For example, if you missed the online or by-mail registration deadline, in some states you may be able to register in person at your local election office or even at the polls! Start the registration process and learn about the registration options in your state. 

Voting eligibility will vary state to state but as a general rule, you must be a U.S. citizen and a resident of the state you’re registering to vote in.

While you must be 18 years old to actually cast a ballot (in most cases), there are several states with pre-registration laws that allow you to register to vote even if you’re only 16 or 17 years old. This will ensure that you’re ready to vote in an election once you turn 18! If you’ll be 18 by the November 5th, 2024 elections, you can almost certainly register today but you should confirm by looking at your specific state’s pre-registration guidelines here. 

Even if you have a felony conviction, most states will still allow you to vote under certain conditions. For example, many states allow people to vote immediately after finishing their prison sentence but some states will require a few additional steps. It’s always important to check your specific state requirements before registering to vote.

To learn more about the specific eligibility requirements in your state, please visit our partners at Election Protection. 

When you register to vote or vote for the first time in a federal election (Presidential or Congressional elections) in your state, you must prove who you are. This is required by federal law but doesn’t always mean you need a specific ID to register to vote.

If your state allows online voter registration, it may require an in-state driver’s license or state ID card to use the service. If you don’t have either, you can usually register in person or by mail. When registering in person or by mail, you usually have to provide your driver’s license or state ID number if you have one. If you do not, you usually have to provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number. If you cannot provide any of this information, your voter registration may not be processed successfully before any upcoming deadlines. 

To get more information on whether you need an ID to register, you can go to VoteRiders.org, click on your state, and click on “Learn more about voter registration in [YOUR STATE]. You can also call or text them at 866-ID-2-VOTE.