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How to Register to Vote

Registering takes about five minutes and is free. Here's how to check you're registered, sign up online, by mail or in person, and make sure you don't miss your state's deadline.

Quick guide~10 minUnited States
Start here · 2 minutes

Check if you're already registered

You may already be registered, but it's worth checking, especially if you've moved or changed your name. Visit usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration and choose your state. It links to your state's official lookup, which shows your registration and often your polling place.

The US general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines are set by each state and some are soon.

HOWHow to register

Each state runs its own registration. These steps work everywhere.

To vote in federal elections you must generally be:

  • A US citizen
  • At least 18 by Election Day (many states let 16- and 17-year-olds pre-register)
  • A resident of the state where you register

Some states have extra rules, for example about past felony convictions. Your state's election office explains them.

  1. Go to vote.gov, the official US government site, and choose your state.
  2. It sends you to your state's official registration page, or explains your options if your state doesn't offer online registration.
  3. Most states ask for your driver's license or state ID number. Some accept the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Registering is always free. Only use vote.gov or your state's official .gov site. Never pay a website to register you, or give personal details in response to a text or call.
  • By mail: download the National Mail Voter Registration Form from the US Election Assistance Commission, fill it in, sign it and mail it to the address for your state listed in its instructions.
  • In person: at your local election office, or when you get or renew a driver's license at the DMV. Many public-assistance offices can register you too.

Deadlines range from about a month before Election Day to the day itself. Some states offer same-day registration at the polls. Find yours at usa.gov/voter-registration-deadlines.

  1. A week or two after registering, check your status again at usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration.
  2. Find your polling place, voting hours, and whether you need ID, on your state's election website.
  3. Want to vote early or by mail? Your state's election site explains the options and deadlines.
🗳️
You're registered.

Check your polling place a few days before the election, as locations sometimes change.

Problems registering?

Contact your state or local election office. They're listed on vote.gov under your state. You can also call the USAGov line at 1-844-USAGOV1.

FAQCommon questions

Do I need to register again if I moved?

Yes, if you moved to a new address, update your registration. Moving to a new state means registering in that state.

I changed my name. Do I need to update my registration?

Yes. Update it the same way you'd register, so the name on the voter roll matches your ID.

Do I need my voter registration card to vote?

No. The card confirms you're registered, but you don't need to bring it. Some states ask for photo ID at the polls instead.

Can I register if I'm living abroad or in the military?

Yes. US citizens abroad, service members and their eligible family can register and request an absentee ballot through the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

Is it safe to register online?

Yes, on your state's official site. Look for an address ending in .gov, which vote.gov links you to.

MOREOfficial help

Vote.govRegister to vote (official) USA.govConfirm your voter registration USA.govVoter registration deadlines EACNational Mail Voter Registration Form

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