How to Register to Vote in the US
Voting in the US requires you to register ahead of time. This is usually weeks before election day. The rules differ by state. The actual registration takes minutes online in most states. Here is how to check if you are registered. It also shows how to register or update your record. And it shows what to expect at the polls.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 10–15 minutes
- Steps:
- 7 steps
- Where to apply:
- usa.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 7 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Confirm you are eligible
You must meet all these rules. You must be a US citizen. Green card holders and visa holders cannot vote. Voting as a non-citizen is a deportable offense. It is also a bar to future citizenship. You must be 18 years old by election day. Many states let 17-year-olds pre-register. You must live in the state where you register. You must not be currently serving a felony sentence in states that disenfranchise. Rules vary widely. Many states restore rights after sentence completion. Some restore them immediately.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go 5 min
Check whether you are already registered
If you voted recently at your current address, you probably are registered. Use your state's registration lookup to check. Or use vote.org. Confirm your status, party affiliation, and polling place. Also check after every move. Registration usually does NOT follow you automatically. Voting in the wrong precinct can void your ballot.
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- Fill / Prepare 10 min
Register — online if your state allows it
Over 40 states offer online registration. You enter your license or state ID number. Or you enter your SSNSocial Security Number — A 9-digit number issued by the Social Security Administration. It is the main US identity number for work, taxes, and credit.Click for official info ↗ last-4 digits. You also enter your address and party preference. No ID? Print the National Mail Voter Registration Form and mail it. Same-day registration exists in 20+ states plus DC. You register AND vote at the polls. Bring proof of residence. Otherwise, standard deadlines are 15–30 days before election day.
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- Submit & Pay 10 min
Update your record after any life change
Have you moved? Have you changed your name? Do you want to switch parties? Re-submit the same registration form with your new details. States count updates as new registrations. Party affiliation matters for primary elections in closed-primary states. In those states, you can only vote in your party's primary. Do this before your state's deadline. This keeps your ballot valid in the next election.
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- Wait 2–4 weeks
Look for your confirmation and sample ballot
Most states mail a registration card within 2–4 weeks. Or they send an email confirmation. Before election day, your county election office sends a sample ballot. It also sends your polling location. Study the sample ballot. You can bring it into the voting booth. You can bring notes too. If your name is missing from the rolls on election day, ask for a provisional ballot. Then follow up on curing it.
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- Go Varies by state
Vote — know your state's ID rules
ID rules range from strict photo ID to none at all. Some states use signature match instead. Check your state's rule before you go. Polls are open all day on election day. Most states also offer early voting. This runs days to weeks before. Many states also offer mail/absentee ballots that anyone can request. Are you in line by closing time? You have the legal right to vote. Stay in line.
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- Follow Up 15 min
Track your mail ballot and fix problems
If you voted by mail, most states let you track your ballot like a package. Some problems can be fixed. These include a missing signature or a signature mismatch. Another problem is a ballot that arrives after the deadline. Some states count postmarks. Others require receipt by the deadline. Election offices contact voters to "cure" ballot defects. Respond fast. The cure window is short.
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Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Registering as a non-citizen. Only US citizens may vote in federal and state elections. Green cardPermanent Resident Card — The ID card proving lawful permanent resident status — live and work in the US permanently.Click for official info ↗ holders and visa holders cannot vote. Voting as a non-citizen is a deportable offense and a bar to future citizenship, so register only after taking the citizenship oath.
Assuming registration follows you when you move. Registration usually does not follow you automatically. Check your status after every move, and register at your new address before your new state deadline. Voting in the wrong precinct can void your ballot.
Missing the deadline. Standard deadlines are 15 to 30 days before election day. Same-day registration exists in 20 plus states and DC, but do not count on it unless your state offers it.
Not updating your record after a move or name change. If you moved, changed your name, or want to switch parties, re-submit the same registration form with your new details. Party affiliation matters for primary elections in closed-primary states, where you can only vote in your own party primary.
Voting in two states for the same election. Never vote in two states for the same election. That is a felony. If you moved mid-year, register at your new address before the deadline, and use same-day registration or your old precinct only where your state allows it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I am a green card holder. Can I vote?
No. Only US citizens may vote in federal and state elections. Registering or voting as a non-citizen is a federal crime. It is grounds for deportation. It is also a permanent bar to naturalizationBecoming a US citizen by application — The process a green card holder goes through to become a US citizen — application, interview, test, and oath.Click for official info ↗. This is true even if you did it by accident, or a registrar let you. Register only after taking the citizenship oath.
I moved mid-year. Where do I vote?
Register at your new address before your new state's deadline. Interstate moves need a fresh registration. If the deadline passed, some states let you vote one last time at your old precinct. Or you can use same-day registration at your new address. Never vote in two states for the same election. That is a felony.
Do I have to pick a party?
No. You can register as unaffiliated/independent everywhere. But in closed-primary states, only registered party members can vote in that party's primary. So unaffiliated voters sit those out. Or they vote in open primaries where allowed. General elections never require a party.
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