Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to register to vote? +

Yes. You must be a fully naturalized U.S. citizen or naturally born in the U.S. to register to vote.

Who cannot vote? +

• Non-citizens, including permanent legal residents
• Some states prohibit people with mental illness from voting. Check this list of state laws for more information on your location.
• Some people with felony convictions
• U.S. citizens living in U.S. territories cannot vote for president in the general election Visit your state or local election office for any questions on who can and cannot vote.

Can I register to vote if I do not have a permanent address? +

Yes. People who are unhoused can register and vote in all states. However, they face special challenges when it comes to voter registration. You can find more information with the National Coalition for Homeless website.

Do I need to be 18 to register to vote? +

The legal voting age is 18. However, pre-registration and voter registration rules, and ages vary. Visit your state’s Secretary of State website or USA.gov website.

How do I know if I’m registered to vote? +

Check your voter registration status directly with your Secretary of State website or Vote411’s website.

Can I register to vote online? +

Yes. All states have a set up for registering to vote online.

Is it too late to register to vote? +

It depends. Voter registration deadlines vary by state. The deadline could be as much as a month before an election. Visit the U.S. Vote Foundation website.

How can I confirm that I'm registered to vote? +

When you register to vote, a voter registration card is sent. The card is a confirmation that you’re registered to vote and that your voter registration is correct. The card generally lists your name, home address, and the address of the polling station where you’ll vote.

I am in the armed forces. How do I register to vote? +

Voter registration deadlines vary by state. Visit the Overseas Vote Foundation website for information.

When is the last day to register to vote? +

Voter registration deadlines vary by state. Visit Rock the Vote’s Election Center website.

When do I need to update or change my voter registration? +

Requirements vary by state. You’ll need to update or change your voter registration if you move within your state, change your name, or want to change your political party affiliation. If you move permanently to another state, make sure to register to vote in your new state.

Avoid problems. Always update your voter registration when you move or change your name.

Why do I need to check my registration information often? +

Every state has different methods to keep their voter registration lists updated. Some states may delete or remove names of inactive voters. Checking your status ahead of time will allow you to check your information (name, address, and party affiliation are up-to-date), your eligibility, and your assigned polling place.

What if I need language assistance with election materials or ballot? +

Federal law requires over 260 jurisdictions to provide some type of language assistance. Visit your state’s election office website for state-wide voting guidance.

Can I vote online? +

No. You cannot vote online in federal elections. You can use an absentee ballot as an option to vote without going in-person to a polling place. Different states have different processes for receiving an absentee ballot.

Can I vote by mail? +

Every state has mail-in voting, but some have specific rules for your state. Visit your state’s election office website for state-wide voting guidance.

Can I vote early? +

It depends. Some states have early voting and allow registered voters to vote on specified dates before Election Day. The rules change from state to state. Check the USA.gov website for a link to your state/territorial election office website. Tip: Look for “absentee voting,” “voting in person,” or “early voting.”

How do I request an absentee ballot? +

If your state does not send an application form to fill out or does not send you an absentee ballot, visit this U.S. Vote Foundation website. You must be registered to vote first before your state sends an absentee ballot.

I received an absentee ballot, but I want to vote in person. How do I do that? +

Check your state or location election office for specific procedures. Your polling place may change, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, so check it before you go.

Can I cast an absentee ballot in person before Election Day? +

Yes, some states will allow this. You’ll need to request an absentee ballot from your states. Your state may require you to provide a valid excuse for your request. See here.

I have a disability. Can I vote? +

Yes, there are federal laws protecting the right to vote for all citizens. Visit the Nonprofit Vote website for information related to voting with disabilities in each state.

Do I need to bring a photo ID to vote? +

Every state has voter identification laws. Some states require a photo ID to vote. Some states require that your name or address on your ID matches the name or address on your voter registration. Visit the NCSL’s interactive map on voter ID laws.

What if I am a first time voter? +

First time voters who didn’t register in person or show ID before must show ID, as required by federal law (Help America Vote Act).

Where is my polling place? +

Check your voter registration card. Your polling place may change, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, so check it before you go.

Why should I be aware of the time it takes the Postal Service to deliver mail? +

According to the USPS website, voters should be aware of how long it may take for your ballot travel through mail. Some state deadlines may not give enough time for the Postal Service to deliver a mail in ballot from the election office to the voter and return the marked ballot from the voter to the election office based on “delivery standards.”

How much postage do I need to mail my ballot? +

You need to make sure proper postage is affixed to your return ballot envelope. Some states provide you with a prepaid return envelope. The Postal Service requires election officials to inform voters of the amount of First-Class™ postage required to return their ballots. Not only does federal law require proper postage, but it also helps ensure timely processing and delivery by the Postal Service.

Do I have to vote for the party that I registered with in the general election? +

In a federal, state, and local general election, you’re eligible to vote for any candidate from any party. It doesn't matter if you’re registered for a political party or whom you may have voted for in the past. You may vote in the general election even if you didn’t vote in your state’s primary or caucus.

Do I have to vote for the party that I registered with in the primary and caucus election? +

In a presidential primary or caucus, depending on your state’s rules, you may have to vote for a candidate from the political party you’ve registered with. Every state has different rules.

What is a provisional ballot? +

A provisional ballot is used when a voter’s eligibility cannot be confirmed at the polls. States’ election laws on use of provisional ballots vary. Most of the time, these ballots will not be counted until the voter can be verified, a process that happens after election day and usually only affects an extremely close or tied election.

What is a ballot drop box? +

The ballot drop box is part of an election apparatus that is owned by the State or county. Drop boxes skip the mail process entirely, allowing voters to drop off their mail ballots and have them be taken directly to county offices. The voters can submit their absentee ballots to be collected later by election officials. Ballots must be received by deadline on the election day. Check with your state’s election office website to see if there are ballot drop boxes.

What is a USPS collection box? +

The postal (blue) collection box is owned by the US Postal Service. Be aware of collection times posted on collection boxes. Ballots deposited after the collection time will not be picked up, or postmarked, until the following business day.

Where can I find a ballot drop box? +

Check with your state's election office to see whether ballot drop boxes are permitted. If they are, ballot drop-off locations are usually announced by county election officials.

Should I drop off my absentee ballot at a ballot drop box or at a blue USPS collection box? +

According to NPR, ballot drop boxes are gaining popularity as an alternative to in-person and mail-in voting. If people take their ballot to a designated ballot drop box, they can avoid the US Postal Service and they will not need a stamp to drop off their ballot.

The US Postal Service general counsel has sent warning to several US states and territories that the vote-by-mail deadlines are incompatible with the USPS capabilities. Mail-in ballots might not be counted in time.

Can I drop off my absentee ballot at an election office or polling locations? +

Rules for submitting absentee ballots vary by states. Almost all states allow voters to return a delivered ballot in person at their local election office. Some states allow voters to submit their signed and sealed ballot at any in-in person voting location in the county. Check with your state’s election office website

Can someone else collect and return my absentee ballot on my behalf? +

Some states allow designated family members, election officials, and organizations to collect a voter's signed and sealed ballot and submit the ballot on the behalf of the voter. Check with your state’s election office website

Is it safe to vote by mail? +

Yes. It is a common misconception that absentee ballots can lead to voter fraud. Vote-by-mail is not a new idea. It has been part of our electoral system well before the pandemic. Five states - Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington - that hold their elections primarily by mail, have had very few voter fraud scandals. States and counties that transitioned to all-mail voting have seen little evidence of partisan advantage.

Can I track my vote-by-mail ballot? +

It depends. Check with your state’s election office website

Can I vote twice? +

Double voting is often listed as a felony in states and can come with fines or jail time.

Should I make a voting plan?+

Absolutely! Visit our voting plan section here.