Get Ready to Vote

Make Sure You’re Registered to Vote

From your local school board to the president of the United States, it is important to vote in every election and registering to vote is the first step.

Check your Registration

Are you unsure that you’re registered to vote? Changed your name? Have you moved recently? It only takes 30 seconds to check your voter registration status and make any necessary changes.

Register to Vote 

Are you a first-time voter? Take the first step and register! Technology makes registration quick and easy - you can even register from your phone.

If your state voter registration deadline has passed, you can still register for future elections. Look up the voter registration deadlines in your state and to see if Election Day registration is available. 

Request an Absentee Ballot 

Unable to make it to the polls on election day? Request an absentee ballot.

Depending on your state, you may have to provide a reason for why you are applying to vote by mail. Thirty-four states and Washington, D.C. allow “no excuse” absentee voting, which means anyone eligible qualifies to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot. Some states made exceptions during the COVID-19 pandemic — check your Secretary of State’s website to find out more.
 If you live in a state that has universal vote-by-mail and are a registered voter, you may not need to request a ballot and will be sent one automatically. Check your Secretary of State’s website to find out. 

Know the Facts

What are the voter registration deadlines and voting laws in my state? 

In the US, each state sets their own voting laws.  You can register all year long but if you want to vote in the next election, make sure you know the voter registration deadlines in your state.   

Learn more about voting rules in your state, including ID requirements, absentee ballot policies, and more.

What is on my ballot?

Every election is important, but information about candidates and ballot questions is not always easy to find.  Here are a few suggestions:

 

Voters with Special Circumstances

Many voters have special circumstances that affect their eligibility or access to voting.  Knowing where to find information ensures that social workers and others do not inadvertently suppress someone’s right to vote.

Our Voting with Special Circumstances page has information and resources for the following groups of voters:

  • Individuals with a felony conviction
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness or staying in temporary housing
  • Voters with disabilities
  • Survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, and other crimes
  • Individuals who do not speak English
  • Nursing home or long-term care facility residents
  • Uniform Service members, their families, and Americans residing outside the United States

Know Your Rights

Any number of issues could come up when you go to cast your ballot. Knowing your rights and the rights of others is critical to exercising your right to vote.

Know Your Basic Rights 

  • If you are in line when polls are supposed to close, stay in line – you have the right to vote.
  • If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
  • If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot
  • If your citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications are questioned, immediately call the Election Protection Hotline where trained volunteers are available to help.
  • If you run into any problems or have questions before or on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:

English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE / 1-866-687-8683

Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA / 1-888-839-8682

Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US / 1-844-925-5287

For Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-API-VOTE / 1-888-274-8683

Learn more about election protection efforts and hotlines at 866-ourvote.org

Voter Intimidation and Suppression 

Voter Intimidation and Voter Suppression are attempts to prevent eligible people from voting or forcing them to vote a certain way. These attempts may be made by an official, individual, or group.
 At least 31 states have passed 103 restrictive voting laws since the Supreme Court gutted a key portion of the Voting Rights Act in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013. 

Some voter intimidation tactics include: 

  • Using verbal or physical threats 
  • Threatening with weapons or jail time 
  • Tests involving literacy 
  • Property ownership, or citizenship 
  • Poll taxes 
  • Spreading dis- and dis-information 

What do you do if you see armed individuals near the polling site or at a voter registration drive? 

Georgetown Law has created fact sheets for all 50 states explaining the laws barring unauthorized private militia groups and what to do if groups of armed individuals are near a polling place or voter registration drive. Find your state.

Voting Rights for Individuals with Physical or Developmental Disabilities

Several federal laws protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. These include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).
 If you or someone you know will need accommodations on Election Day, contact the state or local election office to find out what to expect at your polling place. 

Voters with disabilities have the right to: 

  • Vote in private, without help; 
  • Have an accessible polling place with voting machines for voters with disabilities; 
  • Seek help from poll workers trained to use an accessible voting machine, or; 
  • Bring someone to help with voting (including if someone is unable to read or write). 
  • Some states offer “curbside voting," which is when a poll worker brings everything you need to vote to the vehicle. 
  • Polling places must have: 
  • Wheelchair-accessible voting booths 
  • Entrances and doorways at least 32 inches wide 
  • Handrails on all stairs 
  • Voting equipment for people who are blind or visually impaired 

You can also ask your election office what other options are available.

Check out our Individuals with Special Circumstances page to learn more.

Voting rights for formerly incarcerated individuals or those with a felony conviction 

People with a former incarceration or felony conviction may still be able to vote. Find out the regulations in your area.  

Learn more about felony disenfranchisement laws in your state.

Check out our Individuals with Special Circumstances page to learn even more.