important dates

Visit vote.gov to begin the voter registration process. Select your state or territory. Depending on its rules, you will find instructions on how to register:

• Online

• By mail

• In person at your local election office

 

Start your registration on vote.gov

Other ways to register to vote:

• Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can fill it out onscreen and print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.

• Check with local government offices to see if you can register in person.

  • Find your Department of Motor Vehicles office.

  • Locate a nearby armed forces recruitment center.

  • Contact state and county public assistance offices such as SNAP/food stamps.

 

Abroad and military voters:

The Federal Voting Assistance Program lets you register to vote and request an absentee ballot if you are a:

• U.S. citizen living outside the U.S.

• Service member stationed abroad

• Spouse or eligible family member of a service member stationed abroad

ID Requirements 

Your state's laws determine whether you will need to show an ID and, if so, what kind.

Your state may require you to show a photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Or they may ask to see another form of identification like your voter registration card, birth certificate, or Social Security card.

Find out what ID your state requires you to bring when you vote.

 

Polling Place

Your polling place is based on your residential address. Go to your assigned location. Your name will not be on the roster at any other location. Polling places are typically schools, community centers, and other public facilities. The site of your polling place may change from one election to the next, so check with your state's election office before Election Day.

 

To find your polling place and its hours, contact your state or territorial election office. Let them know if you need an accommodation for a disability.

You can also find your polling place by checking your voter registration.

States allow voters who cannot or do not want to vote in person to cast mail-in or drop off ballots through absentee voting or vote-by-mail programs.

 

Absentee voting

Although most states have absentee voting, deadlines and rules on who can take part vary. Some states require an excuse to vote absentee. Others do not. In most states, you will need to request an absentee ballot to vote in each election. But in some states, you may qualify to sign up to receive absentee ballots for every election. Learn if your state offers permanent absentee voting.

 

Vote-by-mail

Instead of absentee voting programs, some states offer vote-by-mail (also known as all-mail) programs. They automatically send ballots to all registered voters in the state before Election Day. See which states offer vote-by-mail programs.

 

How to Get Your Ballot

Visit Can I Vote and choose your state from the dropdown menu. It will take you right to your state's absentee voting or vote-by-mail page.

Your state may require you to have a valid excuse to vote absentee. Acceptable excuses vary by state. Most include:

• Being unable to get to your polling place due to illness, injury, or disability

• Being on business travel or vacation outside of your county or city of residence on Election Day

• Being a student at an out-of-state college or university