Voting in the 2026 Elections!

You can vote in federal elections if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen
• Are 18 years old or older on or before Election Day
  (Some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election.)
• Meet your state’s residency requirements
• Are properly registered to vote by your state’s deadline (unless same-day registration is available)

You may also vote if you:

• Are a student living away from home (you can usually register either at school or at your permanent address — but not both)
• Are experiencing housing instability or homelessness (a fixed permanent address is not always required; contact your local election office for guidance)
• Are serving in the military or living overseas as a U.S. citizen
• Have a disability and require accessible voting accommodations

You generally cannot vote in federal elections if you:

• Are not a U.S. citizen
• Do not meet your state’s residency requirements
• Miss voter registration deadlines in states without same-day registration

Eligibility may also be affected if you:

• Are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction (rules vary widely by state)
• Have felony convictions and live in a state where voting rights have not yet been restored

Many states automatically restore voting rights after release from incarceration, completion of parole or probation, or payment of fines — but policies differ significantly.

Check your state’s rules before assuming you are ineligible.

If you have a past conviction, you may still be eligible to vote. Laws have changed in many states in recent years to restore voting rights.

Learn about restoration rules by state.

Local election officials can also confirm your eligibility confidentially.

• You cannot vote in more than one state in the same election.
• Registering does not obligate you to vote.
• Your vote is private — how you vote cannot legally be shared.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact your state or county election office directly. Asking questions does not affect your status, and election officials are there to help voters participate.

Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form, complete it, sign it, and mail it to your state’s election office.

Yes — it must be signed.
No signature = no registration.

You may be able to register at:

• Your local election office 
• The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• Public assistance offices (including SNAP offices) 
• Armed forces recruitment centers (there is no directory of these other than to search locally, and it pings a recruiter to call!)

Call ahead to confirm hours and documentation requirements.

If you are:

• Living abroad
• Serving overseas
• The spouse or eligible family member of a service member abroad

You can register and request an absentee ballot through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP).

Deadlines for ballot return differ by state. 

Learn more about your rights under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Voting Act (1986).

Do not assume your prior registration is still active — confirm it. 

Most states require:

• A driver’s license or
• A state-issued ID

If you do not have those, you may be able to provide:

• A bank statement
• A utility bill
• Other government documentation

Requirements vary by state. Check your state election office website to avoid surprises.

Voter rolls get updated. People get removed. Confirming your status takes two minutes and prevents Election Day problems.

Confirm your registration status ​​(Verify your address)

Two minutes now prevents problems later.

You can vote:

• During early voting (where available)
• On Election Day

Early voting allows you to cast your ballot before Election Day, often with shorter lines and more flexible hours. Not all states offer early voting, and schedules vary widely.

Find your polling location:

• Find your polling location 

Check early voting dates in your state:

• States and Territories with Early In-Person Voting

What to Bring 

Identification requirements vary by state. You may need:

• A driver’s license or state ID
• Another approved form of identification
• Proof of address (in some states)

Confirm requirements before you go to avoid delays or provisional ballots.

Tips for Voting In Person

• Verify your registration status before Election Day
• Check polling hours — they differ by state
• Review transportation or accessibility options if needed
• Allow extra time during peak voting hours

Voting by mail allows eligible voters to complete their ballot at home and return it by mail or designated drop box (where available).

Track deadlines carefully — request deadlines and return deadlines are often different.

Some states automatically send mail ballots, while others require voters to request one.

States with online absentee ballot application portalshttps://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-5-applying-for-an-absentee-ballot

Key Steps

1. Request your ballot (if required)
2. Complete the ballot carefully, following all instructions
3. Sign where required — missing signatures are a common reason ballots are rejected
4. Return the ballot before your state’s deadline

• Postmark deadlines and receipt deadlines are not the same in every state
• Some states require witness signatures or additional identification
• Ballots returned late cannot be counted, even if mailed on time

Confirm your state’s specific rules and return requirements well in advance.

• Track early voting and mail ballot deadlines
• www.usvotefoundation.org/early-voting-dates

Most states do not allow full online voting for security reasons. However, many states provide online tools that allow you to:

• Request absentee ballots
• Track ballot status
• Verify registration information
• Receive accessible ballots for voters with disabilities

Check your state’s election website to see what online services are available.

• States with Online Absentee Ballot Application Portals

U.S. citizens living abroad and military voters have additional protections under federal law.

If you are:

• Living outside the United States
• Serving overseas in the military
• The spouse or eligible family member of a service member abroad

You can register and request absentee ballots through the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP):

https://www.fvap.gov

How It Works

• Submit a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) to register and request ballots
• Receive ballots electronically or by mail (depending on state rules)
• Return ballots according to state deadlines

International mail can take longer than expected — request and return ballots as early as possible.

Learn more about your rights under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA):

Primary elections determine which candidates appear on the general election ballot in November. In many districts, primaries effectively decide who will hold office, making participation just as important as voting in the general election.

Primary rules vary significantly by state:

• Open primaries: Any registered voter may participate, regardless of party affiliation.
• Closed primaries: Only voters registered with a political party may vote in that party’s primary.
• Semi-open or semi-closed primaries: Rules vary; unaffiliated voters may have limited participation options.

Because rules differ, voters should confirm:

• Whether they must declare or change party affiliation in advance
• Primary election dates in their state
• Registration deadlines specific to primary participation

Track primary calendars and state election dates. 

Do not assume you are eligible to vote in a primary without checking your state’s requirements first.

Poll workers are consistently needed for early voting and Election Day.

Learn more at www.HelpAmericaVote.gov.

Serving helps ensure smooth, transparent elections in your community.

If you experience or witness voter intimidation or election interference:

U.S. Department of Justice Voting Rights Hotline
Your local election office 

Report issues promptly. Documentation matters.

Election rules can change due to legislation, court rulings, or administrative updates.

Monitor:

Your local election office 

National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS)

U.S. Vote Foundation 

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC)

The National Conference of State Legislatures

The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP)