Voter registration deadlines vary by state and territory. Once you register, you can vote in national, state, and local elections.
Select your state or territory to do the following:
Each state and territory sets its own rules for registering to vote. You may be able to:
Make sure you’re registered with the correct legal name and address. Many states also require you to register with a political party to vote in primary elections. Select your state or territory to confirm your voter registration status on your state election website.
Your registration may be marked “inactive” if you did not vote in at least two federal elections and did not respond when election officials tried to reach you. Your state or local election office can help you move your registration status back to active or answer questions you may have.
You need to update your voter registration with your state or territory after changing your legal name. Select your state or territory to update your information.
Submit your changes before your state’s registration deadline. The registration deadline for your state can be as early as 30 days before Election Day for a local, state, or national election. Your state may also require you to provide an updated driver’s license or ID card when you register.
You need to update your voter registration after a change of address, whether you moved in-state or out of state. If you moved out of state, register with the state you moved to. Submit your changes before your state’s registration deadline, which can be as early as 30 days before Election Day.
If you do not have time to register in your new state before a presidential general election because the registration deadline has passed, your old state must allow you to vote, either by mail or in person. In non-presidential elections, your state may allow you to vote. After that, you’ll need to register in your new state.
If you are a U.S. citizen living outside of the U.S., you can register to vote and request an absentee (mail) ballot by completing the Federal Post Card Application (FCPA). If you are a U.S. military member or military family, you can also use the FPCA to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. Military and overseas voters can find out more information from the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
When you register to vote, some states and territories may ask about your political party affiliation. In states and territories with closed primaries, you can only vote in your party's primary election. In general elections, you can vote for any candidate regardless of your party affiliation.
Select your state or territory to learn how to update your party affiliation. Your state may ask you to register again with your new affiliation, fill out a brief form, or provide options for changing your party affiliation in person at a local election office.
There is no national voter registration deadline. In some states, the last day to register is 30 days before Election Day. In other states, you can register on Election Day. Election Day refers to any election (local, state, or a national election). Find voter registration deadlines in your state.
When you register to vote or change your registration, you may be sent a voter registration card. This card confirms that you are registered and ready to vote. You do not need to have your voter registration card with you in order to vote, but you may need to present a form of ID. Find out how to get a voter registration card on your state or local election website.
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