To vote in U.S. elections, you usually need to be registered first. Registration is how your state adds you to the list of eligible voters and ties you to the correct ballot for your address. The basic steps are similar everywhere, but the deadlines, methods, and rules are set by each state, so the details vary depending on where you live.
Who can register
In general, you can register to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, you are at least 18 years old by election day, and you meet your state’s residency rules. Some states let you pre-register before you turn 18. A few states have additional rules. Your state’s election office is the place to confirm the exact requirements.
The general steps
Registering usually means providing your name, address, date of birth, and a form of identification, such as a driver’s license number or the last digits of a Social Security number. Most states let you register online, by mail, or in person at a local election office or another government office. When you move, you typically need to update your registration to your new address so you get the right ballot.
Deadlines and rules vary by state
Registration deadlines differ widely. Some states require you to register weeks before an election, while others allow same-day registration at the polls. The accepted forms of identification and the ways to register also differ. Because of this, the safest step is to check your own state’s deadline and process well before an election rather than assume it matches another state.
How to check your registration
If you are not sure your registration is current, you can check with your state or local election office. Confirming your registration ahead of time, and updating it if you have moved, helps make sure you can vote without a problem. For an overview of the upcoming federal races, see the 2026 Elections page.
Common ways to register
Most states offer more than one way to register. You can often register online through your state’s election website, fill out a paper form and mail it in, or register in person at a local election office, a department of motor vehicles, or another designated agency. Many states also let you register when you apply for or renew a driver’s license. People with past felony convictions can register in many states once their voting rights are restored, though the rules vary. Choose whichever method your state offers and meet the deadline that applies to it.
Staying registered and updating your information
Registration is not always permanent. If you move, change your name, or do not vote for a long period, your registration may need to be updated or could be removed under your state’s rules. Checking your status before each election, and updating your address after a move, keeps your registration current and tied to the right ballot and district.
What you need to register
Most states ask for proof of identity when you register. That usually means a state driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. First-time voters who register by mail may need to show identification the first time they vote, such as a photo ID or a recent utility bill, bank statement, or government document with your name and address. Requirements vary by state, so check your state’s election website before you start.
Same-day and automatic registration
The rules differ widely from state to state. Many states now offer same-day registration, which lets you register and vote in one trip during early voting or on Election Day. A large number of states also use automatic registration, which signs you up or updates your record when you interact with the motor vehicle agency unless you opt out. A few states still close registration several weeks before an election, so timing matters most where these options are not available.
Registering is separate from requesting a ballot
Registering to vote and requesting a mail ballot are two different steps. Registration puts you on the rolls. If you want to vote by mail, most states require a separate request for an absentee or mail ballot, and some send ballots to every registered voter automatically. Confirm both your registration and your ballot method ahead of each election, since deadlines for the two can fall on different days.
Check your status before every election
Registration is not always permanent. States remove people from the rolls when records suggest they moved, and a registration can lapse if you skip several elections in some states. A name change or a move across town can also leave your record out of date. The fix is a quick check of your status before each election. Most states let you confirm your registration online in under a minute, and updating it is usually the same short form you used to register the first time.
To find your district and representative, use the lookup on the home page.
Last updated August 12, 2026.
