Legal · Registering and voting

Registering to vote

You can vote if you're a U.S. citizen, 18 by Election Day, and meet your state's residency rules, and in almost every state you can register before you turn 18. Start at vote.gov, pick your state, and register online, by mail or in person, usually with your driver's license or state ID number. Deadlines can be up to 30 days before an election. Re-register whenever you move or change your name. If you're away at college, ask about an absentee ballot; being an out-of-state student is an accepted excuse in states that require one.

Easy10 min to doFreeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

A driver's license or state ID number, in most states
Your current address (you don't need a permanent home address)

Do it like this

Check that you're eligible: a U.S. citizen, meeting your state's residency requirements, and 18 on or before Election Day. In almost every state you can register before 18 if you'll be 18 by Election Day, and some states let 17-year-olds vote in primaries. Source: USA.gov⁴
Go to vote.gov and pick your state or territory. Depending on its rules, you'll register online, by mail, or in person at your local election office. Source: USA.gov² You can also register at the DMV or public assistance offices. Source: USA.gov²
Have your driver's license or state ID number ready. Without one, some states accept documents like a bank statement or utility bill. Source: USA.gov²
Using the paper National Mail Voter Registration Form? Sign it before mailing it to the address listed for your state. Source: USA.gov² All states except New Hampshire, Wyoming and North Dakota accept it. Source: USA.gov⁷
Beat the deadline. Every state but North Dakota requires registration, and the deadline can be as much as a month before an election. Source: USA.gov³
Confirm it worked. Use Can I Vote, linked from USA.gov, to check your status, name, address and polling place before the deadline. Source: USA.gov⁶

Watch out Moving or changing your name means you must update your registration. Moving to another state means registering there. Source: USA.gov⁷ If the name or address on your ID doesn't match your registration, you may have to cast a provisional ballot. Source: USA.gov⁵

First time voting

Check your state's voter ID rules. Most states require ID to vote in person. Source: USA.gov⁵
Under federal law, if you registered by mail and didn't show ID then, bring ID the first time you vote: a photo ID, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or a government document with your name and address. Source: USA.gov⁵
You don't need to bring your voter registration card, but you can use it as ID. Source: USA.gov⁵
No ID your state accepts? You may be able to sign a form affirming your identity or cast a provisional ballot. Source: USA.gov⁵
Look up your polling place when you check your registration. Source: USA.gov⁶

Voting from college

Absentee rules vary. Some states require an excuse; being a student at an out-of-state college is a common accepted one. Source: USA.gov⁸
In most states you request an absentee ballot for each election. Source: USA.gov⁸
Check whether your state's deadline is a postmark date or a received-by date. Source: USA.gov⁸
Moved? Update your registration address before requesting a ballot. Source: USA.gov⁸

See it done

Video by USAGov Government

First Time Voter

Watch on YouTube: First Time Voter

2018 · Checked October 3, 2026

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

Not sure if you're registered? Check through Can I Vote; it sends you to your state's election site. Source: USA.gov⁶
Marked inactive? That can happen if you don't answer election mail and skip two federal general elections. You may need extra steps before voting, so check early. Source: USA.gov⁶
Moved to a new state right before a presidential election? If there isn't time to register in the new state, your old state must let you vote in person or absentee for that election. Source: USA.gov⁶
No home address? You don't need one to register and vote. Source: vote.gov¹
Living abroad or in the military? The Federal Voting Assistance Program helps you register and request an absentee ballot. Source: USA.gov²

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Party affiliation

You don't have to join a party to register. Your party doesn't limit who you vote for in a general election, but many states have closed primaries where only party members vote. Source: USA.gov⁷

Same-day registration

Some states let you register when you vote on Election Day. Source: USA.gov⁶

After a felony conviction

Eligibility varies from state to state. Source: vote.gov USA.gov¹⁴

Local elections count

Once registered, you can vote in national, state and local elections. Source: vote.gov¹

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

Vote.gov Register to vote
USA.gov How to register to vote
USA.gov Voter registration deadlines
USA.gov Who can and cannot vote
USA.gov Voter ID requirements
USA.gov How to confirm your voter registration status
USA.gov How to update or change your voter registration
USA.gov Absentee voting and voting by mail

Lesson L2.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

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