Introduction
Voting is a fundamental part of our democracy and a privilege that we all should be proud to exercise. This guide will help you register to vote, check your registration status, and get more information about registering if you haven’t already.
Registering to vote is a simple process.
Registering to vote is a simple process. You can register to vote at any time before the election, whether it’s on Election Day or months earlier.
You can register online, by mail or in person:
- Online: Most states allow you to register online through their official websites. Some states even have their own dedicated sites where you can fill out your information and submit it without having to go through another government website first (like www.vote.org). If there isn’t an option for online registration on your state’s site, check out VoteRiders’ website instead; they’ve got links for all 50 states’ voter registration forms!
- By Mail: If you prefer mailing in your application rather than filling it out online or bringing it into your local election office in person, send off the form with some proof of identification (a copy of your driver’s license should work) and wait until they send back a confirmation that everything went smoothly–which may take up to three weeks depending upon how far away from the home base they are located before getting back with confirmation that everything went smoothly–which may take up
You can register to vote at any time before the election.
You can register to vote at any time before the election.
You can also do so on Election Day, but it’s best to get it done early so you don’t run into any problems when it comes time to cast your ballot. You can register at early voting locations or online, and if you prefer snail mail over digital communication, there are forms available by mail as well.
You can choose to register with a political party.
The first step to registering to vote is deciding which party you want to register with. If you’re not sure what party best fits your political beliefs, don’t worry about it! You can always change your affiliation later on in the process if needed.
Once you’ve decided which party best suits your interests and values, go ahead and fill out their paperwork at their local headquarters or online. If there’s no office near where you live or work (or anywhere else), they will send someone out who will help guide people through the registration process until everyone has been signed up for their respective parties’ primaries/elections by April 2020 (or whenever).
You can choose not to be registered with a political party.
You can choose not to be registered with a political party. This is called “decline to state.” You’ll need to check the box that says “no party preference” when you register.
If you’re not sure what party you want to be associated with, don’t worry about it!
If you’re not sure what party you want to be associated with, don’t worry about it! You can still register as an unaffiliated voter and vote in the primary elections. Once those are over and the general election rolls around, though, you’ll have to pick a side if you want your voice heard at all.
If this sounds confusing or scary (it doesn’t have to be), keep reading through our guide and we’ll help clarify things for ya!
Your voting location may change, so make sure you check if your address is correct.
If you’re not sure if your address is correct, check with your local election office or contact them by phone. Some states have online tools that allow voters to update their information and find polling places.
If you move during the election season, update your registration as soon as possible so that you can vote in your new district on Election Day!
Check your voter registration status before going to the polls.
Before you go to the polls, check your voter registration status. You can do this online or by phone at 866-OUR-VOTE (688-8683).
You can also check your registration in person at a local election office or by mail. You’ll need to provide some identifying information such as your name, address, birthdate and Social Security number. If there are any issues with your registration status–such as if you’ve moved but haven’t updated it yet–the official will help update things for you before Election Day arrives.
On Election Day itself (which is Tuesday this year), there will be poll workers available who can help ensure that everyone has proper identification so they can vote without any issues!
Bring all of the documentation required by your state, including identification and proof of residency (if needed).
In order for you to be able to vote, you must be registered. You can find out if you are already registered by checking your state’s voting website or contacting their elections office directly.
- Bring all of the documentation required by your state, including identification and proof of residency (if needed).
- Bring a utility bill, bank statement, or government document that shows your name and address.
Voting is easy, but make sure you know your state’s requirements first!
Voting is easy, but make sure you know your state’s requirements first!
You need to be a US citizen. This is not negotiable. If you are not yet 18 years old, there are some states that allow 17-year-olds who will turn 18 before the next election date (November 3rd) to vote in primary elections held earlier than December 31st of their current year of birth (for example: if you were born on January 1st 2000 and are therefore eligible).
Your state also has rules about how long someone must live there before they’re considered residents–and those rules vary widely across the country. For example, some states require at least 30 days of residency before voting; others require only 15 days; still others don’t have any kind of minimum residency requirement at all! Be sure to check this out for yourself before going through with any registration process–you don’t want anything getting in the way when Election Day comes around!
Finally -and this should go without saying–but always bring proof with you when registering: either an ID card issued by your state government or another form signed by two witnesses who can verify that they know who “John Doe” really is (and isn’t!).
Find out if you’re eligible to vote.
It’s important to remember that voter registration is not automatic. You must apply for it, and you must be eligible.
If you’re not sure whether or not you are eligible to register, check out the list below:
- Citizenship status (U.S. citizens only)
- Age (at least 18 years old)
- Residency requirements (where and how long do I need to live in my state?) * Disability status * Matriculation at an accredited educational institution
Learn about your state’s voter registration deadlines, and check for any exceptions or extra steps you may need to take.
Before you can vote, you need to register. To do this in most states, you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. You also need to have lived in the county where you want to vote for at least 30 days before Election Day (or 10 days if it’s a special election). If these requirements are met, here are some things to keep in mind:
- The deadline for registering varies from state to state; check yours here [link].
- If an exception or extra step applies specifically to your situation (like registering as an overseas voter), check out our guide [link] on how those exceptions work! If we don’t cover it there yet though… well then maybe just stick around until we do 🙂
Register online, by mail, or in person with your local election office.
To register to vote, you can do so online, by mail and in person. Online registration is the easiest way to do it.
All 50 states allow online registration for those who have a state-issued driver’s license or identification card with a current address on file. If you don’t have one of these documents in your name yet (for example because you recently moved), then registering through the mail or at an election office may be required for you. You’ll also need proof of citizenship like a birth certificate or passport when submitting mailed applications — but this isn’t necessary when registering online!
Check your registration status to make sure you’re on the rolls.
If you’re not sure if your registration is up to date, there are several ways to check. You can use the National Voter Registration form (aka the Federal Form) and mail it in, or visit a local DMV office or another government agency that provides voter registration services. Many states have online tools as well, so check with your state’s election commission website for details.
In some cases, voters may not be eligible because they’ve moved or changed their name since registering during high school–if this happens to you and it’s not too late before Election Day rolls around again next year (or sooner), then contact them immediately!
If you’re not registered, see if you might be able to register at the polls on Election Day or during early voting opportunities.
If you’re not registered, see if you might be able to register at the polls on Election Day or during early voting opportunities. You can also register by mail or online.
If you’re at all unsure about where to go to vote, call your county election office and ask them for help finding out where to vote (or ask them for directions).
Even though it may seem like a hassle, voting is important and worth the effort.
Voting is important because it’s a privilege and your right as an American citizen. It’s also a responsibility, as well as a civic duty and an important part of democracy. When you vote, you have the opportunity to be heard by your community and have them hear your voice on issues that matter most to you.
Voting is also something we should all feel excited about–it means our voices are being heard in our government!
Conclusion
Voting is a privilege, and it’s one that we should all take advantage of. Even if you don’t feel like your vote matters, know that it does! The more people who are registered to vote, the better chance there is that our government will represent our interests. So get out there, register today (if you haven’t already), and make sure you don’t miss out on this year’s election season!
