Voters in all 50 states still have time to register to vote. Here’s everything you need to know about how to do so.
Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday intended to honor American democracy and encourage people to register to vote prior to their state’s voter registration deadline.
This year, the holiday has taken on arguably greater importance, given the unprecedented dropoff in voter registration rates during the coronavirus pandemic. The Brennan Center for Justice released an analysis Monday finding that new voter registration has declined by an average of 38% in 17 of the 21 states studied when compared with 2016 registration rates.
But there’s good news: Voters in all 50 states still have time to register to vote. Here’s everything you need to know about how to do so.
What’s the Deadline to Register to Vote?
Voter registration deadlines vary by state, but you can check your deadline here (or here or here). In many states, you have until at least early October to register to vote, while others allow you to register up until Election Day.
The only exception is North Dakota, which does not register voters at all. If you’re an eligible resident of North Dakota, you can vote so long as you bring valid proof of ID and residency to the polls.
How Do You Know If You’re Registered to Vote?
Like many other aspects of voting, finding out if you’re registered to vote varies by state. You can check your voter registration status here or here.
How Do I Check My Voter Registration Status?
Many of the same resources that tell you if you’re registered to vote can also help you check your voter registration status. You can check your voter registration status here or here.
Where Can I Register to Vote?
You can begin the short process of registering to vote here, or in-person at your state or local election office.
Can I Register to Vote Online?
A total of 40 states currently offer online voter registration. You can determine if your state is one of 40, and if it is, begin the process of online voter registration here.
How Do I Register to Vote From Out of State?
For people living overseas or members of the military stationed abroad, voter registration is available online.
If you’re trying to register in a new home state with an out-of-state license, things are a bit more complicated and vary by state. Many states will require you to show proof of residency—such as a utility bill at your new, in-state address—but the requirements can also be more complex.
If you aren’t in your home state or district to vote on Election Day, all 50 states offer some form of absentee voting (we’ve also broken down the basics of absentee voting for you). The rules for this vary by state, however. You can learn more about how your state’s absentee ballot request process works here.
Do You Have to Register to Vote Every Year?
No, registering to vote is not a yearly requirement. You only need to re-register to vote if you’ve moved, changed your name, want to switch political parties, or if you haven’t voted in the past four years.
Some states are aggressive about trimming their voter rolls of inactive voters, however, so it’s a good idea to double check your voter registration status here.
I Did Not Vote in the Last Election. Do I Need to Re-Register to Vote?
It depends on the state you live in. In general, no, but if you haven’t voted in the past four years, it’s a good idea to double check your voter registration status here.
I Missed the Deadline to Register to Vote. What Do I Do Now?
If you live in one of the 20 states that allow same-day voter registration, you can show up on Election Day with proof of residency and a valid driver’s license or ID card. North Carolina also makes same-day registration possible for part of its early voting period, but not on Election Day.
If you live in a state that does not allow same-day voter registration, you are unfortunately ineligible to vote in this November’s election. However, you can still register to vote now for future elections.
Why Do Citizens Have to Register to Vote?
Voter registration exists to verify a person’s eligibility to vote in an election, to prevent cases of voter fraud, and to ensure the safety of voting and protect the sanctity of democratic elections.
Keya Vakil Keya is a reporter at COURIER, where he covers everything from healthcare to climate change. Prior to joining Courier Newsroom, Keya worked as a researcher in the film industry and dabbled in the political world.
