Voting Frequently Asked Questions
Who can register to vote?
In order to register, a person must be A) a U.S. Citizen, B) a resident of the state where they are registering, C)18 years old by time of the election, D) not in prison (or in some states, on probation), and E) not declared mentally incompetent.
How do I know if I’m already registered to vote from voting in a previous election?
To confirm, call your local county or city elections office, or just reregister!
How do I contact my local elections office?
The phone number is listed in the blue pages of the phonebook. Or, you can look up your state’s secretary of state’s office online, and find the number there.
Why might I need to RE-register?
You need to reregister if you’ve moved or changed your last name (through marriage, etc.) since the last election. You DO NOT need to reregister if you are registered but didn’t vote in the last election, even recently.
Can I register later?
Yes, you can take a form and mail it in, or do it online at Headcount.org!
Can I register on Election Day?
Only if you live in ID, MN, ME, NH, WI or WY -- and don’t forget to bring ID and proof of residency (e.g., a utility bill: phone/electric/cable, etc.). However, we encourage you to register now!
How will I know where to vote?
You should receive a card confirming your registration and that will have the address of your polling place, open from 7am-8pm in most places. You can also contact your local elections office.
When is the cut-off date to register?
Many states have a deadline 30 days prior to the election.
Does it matter if I live in one state, but have a driver’s license from another?
No. The voter registration form specifies (item #6) what type of ID is needed. In most cases, you can use your social security number, usually the last four digits. ONLY CO requires both your social security number and a driver ID; however, if you cannot provide both you will be issued a unique ID#. MI and UT require a state ID card in lieu of a driver’s license (as well as social security number).
How do I know if I should vote at school or at home?
You have a choice! If you are not sure where to vote, you might want to think about where the race is closer and your vote might make more of a difference. Keep in mind that wherever you are registered to vote is considered your LEGAL RESIDENCE. If you decide to vote from school, register at your school address (a dorm IS considered to be a legal residence). We can register you to vote from school today. If you decide to vote from home, register at your home address. However, YOU will need to request an ABSENTEE BALLOT from your home state.
How do I request an absentee ballot?
Certain state voter registration forms contain a place to check off if you would like to be a permanent absentee voter (you can change that for future elections). Some states allow you to sign up to receive an absentee ballot when you get your voter registration card in the mail. Also, you can easily contact your local county or city election official to obtain a request form to receive an absentee ballot. Or, go to your state’s election page, find the link to absentee ballots, and in most cases you can download and mail in the request form. Be aware of deadlines for mailing in these ballots!
I am a former felon. Can I vote?
The impact of a criminal conviction on the right to vote varies widely from state to state. Whether you can vote after being convicted of a crime is determined by the state in which you live, not the state in which you were convicted.
- Prisoners are permitted to vote in ME and VT.
- Voting rights are automatically restored after release from prison: HI, ID, IL, IN, LA, MA, MI, MT, NH, ND, OH, OR, PA, SD, UT.
- Rights restored after release from prison and completion of parole (probationers may vote): CA, CO, CT, NY.
- Rights restored after completion of sentence, including parole and probation: AK, AR, GA, KS, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NM, NC, OK, RI, SC, TX, WV, WI.
- Voting rights restored after completion of sentence for first felony but permanently disenfranchised for at least some second felonies: AZ, MD.
- Voting restored after completion of sentence, except those convicted before a certain date who are permanently disenfranchised: TN (pre-1986 disenfranchised), WA (pre-1984 disenfranchised).
- All convicted of felonies PERMANENTLY disenfranchised (unless granted a pardon through a hearing): FL, IA, KY, MS, VA.
How will I know when I am actually registered to vote?
It takes anywhere from 10 days to 3 weeks for a local elections office to process your voter registration after they receive your form from Headcount. You should receive a voter registration card confirming your registration in the mail anywhere from 2-6 weeks from now. This card will contain the location of your polling place, information concerning the type of ID you may need to bring to the polls, plus your party affiliation if you chose one. Please take into consideration that election offices have many forms coming in; have patience as your registration may take a while to process. If you do not receive a card in the mail within a few days of your states’ voter registration deadline, contact your local election office, as you may need to reregister.
Other Resources
- Project Vote Smart
- FairVote
- Federal Voting
- Assistance Program
- National Campaign For Fair Elections
- Why Tuesday?
- Activote.org
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission
- Select Smart
Primary/Caucus Dates
| State | Registration Deadline | Primary/Caucus Date |
| Alabama | Jan 25 | Feb 5 |
| Alaska | Jan 5 | Feb 5 |
| Arizona | Jan 7 | Feb 5 |
| Arkansas | Jan 7 | Feb 5 |
| California | Jan 21 | Feb 5 |
| Colorado | Jan 8 | Feb 5 |
| Connecticut | Feb 4 | Feb 5 |
| Delaware | Jan 12 | Feb 5 |
| District of Columbia | Jan 12 | Feb 12 |
| Florida | Dec 31 2007 | Jan 29 |
| Georgia | Jan 7 | Feb 5 |
| Hawaii | Jan 19 | Feb 19 |
| Idaho | May 2 (R) | Feb 5(D), May 27(R) |
| Illinois | Jan 8 | Feb 5 |
| Indiana | April 7 | May 6 |
| Iowa | Jan 3 | Jan 3 |
| Kansas | Jan 21(D) Jan 25(R) | Feb 5(D), Feb 9(R) |
| Kentucky | April 21 | May 20 |
| Louisiana | Jan 9 | Feb 9 |
| Maine | Feb 1(R), Feb10(D) | Feb 1(R), Feb10(D) |
| Maryland | Jan 22 | Feb 12 |
| Massachusetts | Jan 7 | Feb 5 |
| Michigan | Dec 17 2007 | Jan 15 |
| Minnesota | Jan 16 | Feb 5 |
| Mississippi | Feb 10 | March 11 |
| Missouri | Jan 9 | Feb 5 |
| Montana | May 5 (or at county office) | June 3 |
| Nebraska | May 2 | May 13 |
| Nevada | Registration available at caucus | Jan 19 |
| New Hampshire | Jan 8 | Jan 8 |
| New Jersey | Jan 15 | Feb 5 |
| New Mexico | Jan 4(D), May 6(R) | Feb 5(D), June 3(R) |
| New York | Jan 11 | Feb 5 |
| North Carolina | April 11 or on Election Day | May 6 |
| North Dakota | Feb 5 | Feb 5 |
| Ohio | Feb 4 | March 4 |
| Oklahoma | Jan 11 | Feb 5 |
| Oregon | April 29 for new registrants | May 20 |
| Pennsylvania | March 24 | April 22 |
| Rhode Island | Feb 2 | March 4 |
| South Carolina | Dec 19(R), Dec 26(D) | Jan 19(R), Jan 26(D) |
| South Dakota | May 19 | June 3 |
| Tennessee | Jan 7 | Feb 5 |
| Texas | Feb 4 | March 4 |
| Utah | Jan 29 | Feb 5 |
| Vermont | Feb 27 | March 4 |
| Virginia | Jan 14 | Feb 12 |
| Washington | Jan 19 | Feb 19 |
| West Virginia | April 22 | May 13 |
| Wisconsin | Jan 30 by mail or Election Day in person | Feb 19 |
| Wyoming | Election Day in person | Jan 5(R), March 8(D) |
