Voting in the US: Follow These Simple Steps to Make Your Voice Heard

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Cast your vote for the candidates who best represent your values

Co-authored by Vote.org and Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: December 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Registration
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• Voting on Election Day
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• Early Voting
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• Absentee & Mail-In Voting
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• Video

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Ready to make your voice heard? Whether you're a first-time voter, a long-timer voter, military personnel, or living abroad, this is the guide for you. In order to cast your vote, first we'll help you register (which will just take a few minutes). Then, you'll get a voter registration card in the mail that'll tell you exactly where to go to vote on Election Day. Or, if you won't be able to make it to the polls, we'll show you how to vote by mail as well!

Things You Should Know

• Register as a voter at least a month before Election Day. You can do this online, by mailing in a paper application, or in person.
• Vote in person on Election Day, or even earlier if your state is one of the 46 states that offer early voting.
• Mail in an absentee ballot if you live abroad or won't be able to go to the polls on Election Day or during early voting.
• AL, MS, and NH do not currently offer in-person early voting options. CT recently enacted a law offering in-person early voting starting in 2024.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Registration

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1. 1
   Confirm you're eligible to vote in the next election. Generally, you're eligible to vote if you're a US citizen and will be 18 on or before Election Day. While these are the only federal requirements, elections are run by state governments—many of which have separate requirements.

   • For example, some states restrict the right of people convicted of a felony to vote—although this is changing rapidly. If you've been convicted of a felony, check your voting rights anonymously online through Restore Your Vote, a project of the Campaign Legal Center.
   • In 15 states and D.C., you can pre-register to vote as early as 16. When you turn 18, your pre-registration automatically changes to a registration.
   • In four states, you can pre-register to vote when you are 17.
   • If pre-registration isn't an option for you, sign up to receive a text reminder on your 18th birthday along with a registration link.
2. 2
   Determine your voter registration status. Not sure if you're registered or not? It's easy to figure out! Simply spend about 30 seconds entering your name, address, and birth date at Vote.org to check if you are registered.

   • You don't have to register for every election. If you already registered in the past, you're good to go unless any information has changed, such as your name or address.
   • In 22 states and the District of Columbia, eligible people are automatically registered to vote when interacting with certain government agencies, such as a department of motor vehicles, so even if you don't remember ever registering, you might still be registered.
   • If you're not registered, check your state's voter registration deadline. Make sure you submit your application before the date listed for your state if you want to vote in the next election.
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3. 3
   Complete or update your voter registration. If you're not registered, follow the prompts on Vote.org to get that taken care of. All you need to do is enter your name, address, and birth date. In 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam, you can register online, so there's no reason not to just immediately do it.

   • Some states require you to list your party affiliation. This doesn't mean you can't vote for candidates from other parties! This information is only important when you vote in a primary election.
   • Use the same application process if there's information on your registration that's no longer correct and needs to be changed, including your name, address, or party affiliation.
   • If your state doesn't have online registration, just print the application you've already filled out to register. Then, either mail it to the address displayed or take it to your local election office in person.
4. 4
   Review the sample ballot for your area. Many state election offices mail sample ballots to registered voters before election day. Use the sample ballot to familiarize yourself with the candidates who are running for office.

   • If you didn't get a sample ballot in the mail, go to BallotReady or Vote.org to find a preview of what is on your ballot.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Voting on Election Day

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1. 1
   Go to your polling place as early as possible. Check your voter registration card to find out where your assigned polling place is. If you don't have your voter registration card, use vote.org's handy polling place locator to quickly find it.

   • Expect lines on Election Day. You'll usually have less of a wait if you get there early. But keep in mind that lines can start forming even before the polls open.
2. 2
   Check in with a poll worker. Typically, you'll get to a row of tables where you'll talk to a poll worker who has a copy of the state voter rolls. If your state has a voter ID law, you'll usually need to show a state-issued driver's license or photo ID to verify your identity before the official will clear you to vote.

   • Sign the poll book to indicate that you showed up to vote. You're typically also affirming that you're eligible to vote and haven't yet voted in that election.
3. 3
   Fill out the ballot as you wish. The specific process for filling out your ballot varies depending on the type of voting system used where you live. You might be marking in bubbles on a paper ballot, or you might have a touch-screen computer or other voting machine.

   • The poll worker will give you a brief explanation of how to vote. If you want to see it in action before you start voting, ask for a demonstration!
4. 4
   Review your ballot to make sure it's correct. If you're using a computer or voting machine, make sure the machine records the votes you intend to make. Typically, you can change your selections before you finalize your vote.
5. 5
   Turn in your ballot to cast your vote. Some machines retrieve and store a printed copy of your ballot, while others require you to feed your print-out into a separate machine. Normally, the machine will have instructions on the screen. A poll worker will assist you to make sure you're turning in your ballot correctly.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Early Voting

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1. 1
   Check your state's early voting rules. Almost all states and territories in the US have some sort of early voting option available. With early voting, you can go to the polls as soon as 46 days before Election Day to cast your vote. The biggest benefit? Shorter lines! Many states also have more convenient locations available for early voting.

   • If you live in a state with voter ID laws, make sure you have a state-issued driver's license or photo ID with you that matches the information on your voter registration.
2. 2
   Show up to an early voting location to vote. Early voting locations might differ from the regular polling location listed on your voter registration card. Typically, you have a greater choice of voting locations so you can pick the one that's most convenient for you.

   • If you live in one of the 36 states with voter ID laws, make sure you have a state-issued driver's license or photo ID with you that matches the information on your voter registration.
   • Please note that Alabama, Mississippi, and New Hampshire do not currently offer in-person early voting options. Connecticut recently enacted a law offering in-person early voting starting in 2024.
3. 3
   Mark your ballot for the candidates you want. When you vote early, you have the same ballot you'd have if you voted on Election Day. Just make your choices and you're all set. Follow the poll worker's instructions on how to mark your ballot.

   • Ask a poll worker if you have any questions. They can't look at your ballot, but they can still answer any questions if you're unsure how to mark your ballot.
4. 4
   Turn in your ballot as instructed by poll workers. Check over your ballot when you're done to make sure you marked everything correctly and didn't leave anything out that you meant to vote for. Then submit it through the voting machine.

   • If you have any problems or aren't sure if your vote was recorded, ask a nearby poll worker for help.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Absentee & Mail-In Voting

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1. 1
   Get an absentee ballot for your state. If you can't get to the polls on Election Day or during the early voting period, you might be able to vote by mail ("absentee" voting). In 8 states—California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont (general elections only), and Washington—plus the District of Columbia, elections are conducted entirely by mail. You don't have to request a ballot if you live in one of these locations! And in 27 states, you don't need an excuse to vote absentee—all you have to do is request a ballot. In the remaining states and territories, you need to present a valid excuse why you can't get to the polls on election day (or during early voting), such as being out of the state or having an illness or disability.

   • Some states, such as New York, automatically mail you an absentee ballot for every election if you provide the election office with documentation of a permanent illness or disability. Check with your state election office for more information if this applies to you.
   • Some states also allow you to request mail ballots for every election for up to a calendar year (such as North Dakota and Oklahoma), or to join a list to automatically receive a vote-by-mail application for every election (such as Michigan and Pennsylvania).
   • Military members and their families, as well as all citizens living abroad, have the right to vote absentee as well. Connect with the Federal Voting Assistance Program to register and get your absentee ballot.
2. 2
   Follow your state's absentee voting rules to fill out your ballot. Read the instructions with your absentee ballot carefully so you know what you need to do to make sure your vote is counted. Mark your choices, then sign and date the ballot in the boxes indicated.
3. 3
   Mail your completed ballot before your state's absentee voting deadline. Your ballot typically comes with a pre-addressed envelope. If it's not postage-paid, make sure you affix the proper postage before you drop it in the mailbox. That's it—you're done!

   • Many states also have dropbox locations. If you're local, you might be able to use one of those.
   • If your ballot didn't come with a self-addressed envelope, look up your local election office so you'll know where to mail it. Choose your state from the drop-down menu, then click on "absentee voting" to get the right address.
   • If your state has a ballot tracker, you can use that to confirm your ballot was received and your vote was counted.
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Online Voter Registration in the US: Simple Steps to Making Your Voice Heard

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