Click here for polling places, to register to vote, update voter registration, and learn about voter identification and early voting.
Registering to Vote in the United States differs from state to state. Nearly every state has a voter registration deadline. The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 requires that states set their voter registration deadlines for federal elections no more than 30 days before an election.
As of June 2022, 42 states and D.C. offer online voter registration. States without it are Maine (until November 2023), Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma (must submit in person registration created online), South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. In 2021 alone, 19 states passed at least 33 new laws that add barriers to voting. Meanwhile, 25 states passed 62 laws that made voting more accessible.
Warning: These deadlines may have changed since last updated. Use the link above to reach your state election office.
Voter Registration Deadlines (number of days before Election Day as of June 2022)
Alabama: 15 days in person, online, or postmark by mail.
Alaska: 30 days in person, online, or postmark by mail.
Arizona: 29 days in person, online, or postmark by mail.
Arkansas: 30 days in person, online, or postmark by mail.
California: 15 days in person, online, or postmark by mail.
Colorado: In person on Election Day and 8 days online or postmark by mail.
Delaware: In person or online fourth Saturday before Election Day, By mail postmark by fourth Saturday before Election Day.
District of Columbia: In person on Election Day and 21 days received by mail or online before Election Day.
Florida: 28 days in person, online, or received or postmark by mail.
Georgia: In person and online the fifth Monday before Election Day, By mail postmark the fifth Monday before Election Day.
Hawaii: In Person or online on Election Day or 10 days from postmark if received on weekday. If fewer than 10 days before Election Day may need to vote a provisional ballot.
Idaho: 25 days in person or online or postmark by mail. May register in person on Election Day.
Illinois: 29 days in person, 28 days postmark by mail or 16 days online. If deadline missed may register during the registration grace period.
Indiana: 29 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Iowa: In person on Election Day or during early vote, 15 days online or postmark by mail.
Kansas: 21 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Kentucky: 29 days in person, postmarked by mail or online.
Louisiana: 30 days in person or postmark by mail. Online 20 days before Election Day.
Maine: In person on Election Day or received 21 days by mail. Online registration to start in October 2023.
Maryland: 21 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Massachusetts: 10 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Michigan: In person on Election Day if at your city or township clerk’s office or 15 days online or postmark by mail.
Minnesota: In person on Election Day or 21 days online or received by mail.
Mississippi: 30 days in person or postmark by mail. No online registration.
Missouri: In person or online received by the fourth Wednesday prior to Election Day. By mail postmark by fourth Wednesday prior to Election Day.
Montana: In person by noon 1 day before Election Day or 30 days postmark by mail. No online registration.
Nebraska: Received by the third Friday before election or in person at county election office prior to second Friday before election.
New Hampshire: In person on Election Day or during early vote. Varies between 6 and 13 days by mail. No online registration.
New Jersey: 21 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
New Mexico: In person Saturday before Election Day at county clerk’s office, online 28 days and mail postmark 28 days before Election Day.
New York: 25 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
North Carolina: Saturday before Election Day if voting early or in person, 25 days online or postmark by mail.
North Dakota: Does not require voter registration. Must provide acceptable identification. No online registration.
Ohio: 30 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Oklahoma: 25 days in person or postmarked by mail. Online form must be submitted in person to county.
Oregon: 21 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Pennsylvania: Received 15 days in person, by mail or online.
Rhode Island: 30 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
South Carolina: Received 30 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
South Dakota: 15 days in person or received by mail. No online registration.
Tennessee: 30 days in person, online or postmark by mail.
Texas: Received 30 days in person or postmark by mail. No online registration.
Utah: In person, by mail or online received by county clerk 11 days before Election Day. Can vote by provisional ballot during early voting or on Election Day.
Vermont: In person or online on Election Day. If mailed or done online soon before election may be asked to fill out another application at the polls.
Virginia: 22 days in person or postmark by mail. Online received by 11:59 PM 22 days before Election Day.
Washington: In person on Election Day. By mail or online must be received 8 days before Election Day.
West Virginia: 21 days in person or online and 21 days received by mail.
Wisconsin: In person the Friday before Election Day, mail postmark at least 20 days before Election Day, and online 20 days before Election Day.
Wyoming: 14 days in person or received by mail. Afterward, can request absentee ballot or register to vote at the polls on Election Day. No online registration.
Voter turnout averages over 10% higher in states with Election Day registration than in states without it.
Click here to get voter registration and much more voting information specific to your state.
Registration, Voting Tips & the Election Process
1: You Can Vote If….
You can vote if you’re at least 18 years old, you’re a U.S. citizen, you haven’t been declared mentally incompetent by a court of law, and if you’re not a felon (in 13 states and the District of Columbia disenfranchisement ends after incarceration is complete).
2: You Can Register Almost Anywhere
You can find voter registration applications at the DMV, the post office, the library, the fire station, your local election office, or by downloading a registration application from the Internet. You also might find registration applications at coffee shops, on college campuses, in mall kiosks, and other unexpected places.
3: Primary versus General Elections
In the primary election, you narrow down the field of candidates. If you’re registered Republican, you pick the best Republican. Same thing if you’re a Democrat. In the general election, you can vote for whomever you want – regardless of your party affiliation, or theirs.
4: You Don’t Have To Choose A Party
When you register to vote, you can register with a political party – Republican, Democrat, Green or any other – or you can “decline to state,” which means you are registered as an Independent or unaffiliated voter.
5: The Sample Ballot Is The Voting Bible
The sample ballot you receive in the mail before an election is full of information. It tells you when and where to vote and what you can vote for, and often, even the voting equipment you’ll be using. Fill it out at home, and bring it with you as a reference on Election Day.
6: You Can Ask For Help
If you don’t understand something at the polling place, you can ask any of the poll workers to help you. They are trained to answer questions and to walk you through the process if you need guidance.
7: If You Screw Up, You Get Another Chance
If you make a mess of your ballot, or if you think you’ve mis-marked it, you can ask for a new one and start again. It’s YOUR ballot.
8: You Don’t Have To Go To The Polls To Vote
You don’t have to leave your house to vote. You can request an absentee ballot, which allows you to vote by mail. In most cases, you have to request an absentee ballot at least seven days before an election, but call the Secretary of State’s office in your state for requirements in your community. Just remember to get it in before the deadline!
9: Your Vote Is Secret
Your vote is completely confidential. No matter what anyone tells you to do, when you go into the polls or fill out your absentee ballot, you make your own choice.
10: Voting Is A Privilege
Voting gives you the chance to change your world and to make your voice heard. A presidential election was won by one electoral vote. Women won the right to vote by one vote. Texas was given statehood by one vote. In other words, YOUR VOTE COUNTS.