Who Can Register to Vote?
To register to vote in the United States, you must meet three basic requirements:
- US citizenship: You must be a US citizen by birth or naturalization. Permanent residents (green card holders), DACA recipients, and visa holders cannot register to vote.
- Age: You must be at least 18 years old by Election Day. Several states allow 17-year-olds to register if they will be 18 by the general election date.
- State residency: You must be a resident of the state where you register. You don't need to own property — a current address is sufficient.
Some states also have rules about felony convictions. Most states restore voting rights after you complete your sentence. A few (like Maine and Vermont) allow voting even while incarcerated. Check your state's specific rules at usa.gov/voter-registration.
How to Register — 3 Ways
Option 1: Online (Fastest)
Most states offer online voter registration through their official state website. The federal site vote.gov will direct you to your state's registration portal. You'll need:
- Your state driver's license or state ID number
- Your Social Security number (or last 4 digits)
- Your current residential address
- Your date of birth
The process takes about 5 minutes. You'll receive a confirmation email or letter when your registration is processed.
Option 2: By Mail
Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form from eac.gov. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to your county election office. The address is listed on the form instructions for each state. Use this if you don't have a state ID or prefer not to register online.
Option 3: In Person
Register at your county election office, DMV, public library, or military recruitment office. When you get a new driver's license or state ID, you're typically offered voter registration at the same time — this is called Motor Voter (the National Voter Registration Act of 1993).
Registration Deadlines
Registration deadlines vary by state and election type. Missing the deadline means you cannot vote in that election, even if you're eligible. Check your state's deadline well in advance.
| State | Registration Deadline | Same-Day Registration? |
|---|---|---|
| California | 15 days before election | Yes (conditional vote) |
| Texas | 30 days before election | No |
| Florida | 29 days before election | No |
| New York | 25 days before election | No |
| Colorado | Election Day | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Election Day | Yes |
| North Dakota | No registration required | N/A |
Already registered? Your registration can lapse if you haven't voted in several elections or if you moved. Always verify your registration status before an election at vote.gov — it takes 30 seconds and shows your polling location too.
Choosing a Party — Or Not
When you register, most states ask you to declare a party affiliation: Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian, or No Party Preference (independent). This is optional in some states and required for primary elections in others.
In closed primary states (like California for some primaries), you can only vote in your party's primary if registered with that party. In open primary states, you can vote in any party's primary regardless of registration. In the general election, party registration never restricts who you can vote for — you can vote for any candidate on the ballot.
You can change your party registration at any time through your state's voter registration portal.
What Happens on Election Day
Polls are typically open from 6 AM to 8 PM (some states vary). If you're in line before polls close, you have the right to vote — they must let you finish. Here's what to bring:
- Photo ID (required in some states): driver's license, passport, or state ID
- Your polling location address (look it up at vote.gov beforehand)
- A sample ballot if you want to review candidates in advance
Some states require photo ID; others accept a utility bill or allow you to sign an affidavit. If you don't have ID, do not skip voting — ask poll workers about your options. In many states you can cast a provisional ballot that is counted after your eligibility is verified.
Voting by Mail (Absentee Ballot)
You don't have to vote in person. All states allow some form of mail-in or absentee voting. In many states (including California, Colorado, Washington, and Oregon), every registered voter automatically receives a mail ballot.
To request an absentee ballot in other states, contact your county election office or visit their website at least 2 weeks before the election. Return your ballot by the deadline — many states require it to be received by Election Day, not just postmarked.
If you move to a new address — even within the same county — you must update your voter registration. You cannot use your old address to vote at your old polling place. Update your registration at vote.gov as soon as you move.