This article was co-authored by Bridget Connolly, a trusted member of How.com.vn's volunteer community. Bridget Connolly has volunteered on political campaigns at the local and federal level for over 10 years, most notably for the 2008 Obama campaign in Nevada and Josh Harder's Congressional race in 2018. She has gone door-to-door to help register voters and get out the vote in both California and Nevada.
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In order to vote in US elections (both local and national), citizens must register to vote. Although this process varies slightly from state to state, most states allow online voter registration. Most states likewise require only a state-issued photo ID and some proof of address or residency. You can register to vote online by gathering important materials, completing the online application, and receiving confirmation. In very little time, and with very little effort, you can be effectively registered to vote.
Steps
Gathering Materials
Locate your ID. All states that allow online voter registration require that you hold a state issued driver's license or identification card. If you do not have one, contact your local Secretary of State office and begin the process of obtaining one.
Make sure you meet residency requirements. Most states require that you be a resident of the state for 30 days before registering to vote. Wait until you have secured residency in the county to which you will apply. In some cases, you may need to supply a piece of mail or utility bill to verify where you live.[1]
Ensure that you meet all other voter registration guidelines. In order to vote in the United States, you must be over the age of 18, a US citizen, and you must not be serving a prison sentence.[2]
Make sure your state qualifies for online registration. As of June 2016, 31 states (as well as the District of Columbia) offer online registration. Another seven states have passed legislation to implement online voter registration programs, but have not yet put them into practice.- To determine whether or not your state qualifies, you can visit the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCLS) website here: http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/electronic-or-online-voter-registration.aspx.
Register to vote at least 30 days prior to the next election. Most election offices require a lead-time for online registrations. In some places, you may be able to apply in-person closer to the election day, but it is better to be safe than sorry.[3]Advertisement
Registering to Vote
Visit your state's Secretary of State website. To access online voter registration forms, go to your state's Secretary of State (SOS) website. If your state does not appear to allow online voter registration, you will be able to print out a form and mail it in.[4]EXPERT TIPBridget Connolly has volunteered on political campaigns at the local and federal level for over 10 years, most notably for the 2008 Obama campaign in Nevada and Josh Harder's Congressional race in 2018. She has gone door-to-door to help register voters and get out the vote in both California and Nevada.Political Activist
Bridget Connolly
Political ActivistThe process can vary based on where you live. Bridget Connolly, who's worked to register voters for campaigns in California and Nevada, says: "To register to vote online, you need to be 18 years of age and a citizen of the US, and you'll need your date of birth, a state-issued ID, and an address. You can only be registered in one state at a time, and every state has different registration guidelines—some won't allow you to register to vote online at all, so check the requirements where you live."
Select the "Register to Vote" link on your SOS website. The location of this link will vary depending on your state. Alternatively, you can search the phrase “voter registration [name of your state]" and the direct link to your voter registration page should appear.[5]
Begin filling out the form. Answer the initial questions to confirm you are qualified to register to vote. If you have been previously registered, you may also be asked to supply the address where you were last registered to vote.- You will be asked your age, your citizenship status, your local address, and whether or not you are serving jail time.
Add personal information. You will be asked to include your name, address, date of birth, driver's license (or ID) number, your telephone number, and your email address. Remember to have this info handy when you begin the application process.- If you are registering for a primary election, and your state uses a "closed primary" system, you will also be required to choose a party affiliate. (Currently, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming have closed primaries.)
- You may also be asked to supply your gender and ethnicity.
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Receiving Confirmation
Receive an email confirmation. Within one day of submitting your request, you should receive a confirmation email. Keep an eye out for this email, and when it arrives, save it in a safe place. If you do not receive this email within a day or two, contact your local SOS office.[6]
Receive a voter registration card in the mail. After you have registered to vote, you should receive a voter registration card within 30 days. If you do not receive this card, contact your local SOS office.[7]
Review the details. Look over the information on your voter registration card and/or in your email. It is important to verify that this information is accurate, or you may have problems when it is time to vote. Submit changes (via the SOS webpage) if any details are incorrect.[8]
Bring confirmation with you to vote. When it is time to vote, it is best to bring both your voter registration card and a picture ID. Although voter ID laws vary from state to state, bringing these items with you ensures that there will be no problems and that you will be able to cast your vote.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Things You'll Need
- State-issued photo ID
- Home address
- Computer with internet access
- Personal information
References
- ↑ https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
- ↑ https://vote.usa.gov/
- ↑ https://vote.usa.gov/
- ↑ https://vote.usa.gov/
- ↑ https://vote.usa.gov/
- ↑ https://www.rockthevote.com/get-informed/elections/frequently-asked-questions/#registeringtovote
- ↑ https://www.rockthevote.com/get-informed/elections/frequently-asked-questions/#registeringtovote
- ↑ https://www.rockthevote.com/get-informed/elections/frequently-asked-questions/#registeringtovote
About this article
If you want to register to vote, visit the website of your state’s Secretary of State to see if online registration is allowed. If it's allowed, click on the "Register to Vote" link and locate the registration form. To check if you’re eligible, answer the questions about your age, citizenship status, and local address. Then, add your personal information, including your name, date of birth, telephone number, and ID number. Use a driver’s license or passport for identification. After submitting the form, contact the Secretary of State’s office if you don't get a confirmation email within a day. To learn when the deadline is for registering to vote in an upcoming election, keep reading the article!
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