Voting and Registration FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions

1. Why should I vote?
   • In the United States, voting is how we have a say in who represents us at all levels of government. Individual laws often appear on the ballot as well, which allow voters to inform decisions made in the place where they live – for example, voting for how our tax dollars are spent in our city and state. 
2. Am I eligible to vote?
   • Naturally born and fully naturalized US citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to vote in federal elections. In some states, non-citizens are able to vote in local and/or school board elections. If you have been convicted of a felony, your voting rights may vary between states, and you can check your eligibility here. 
3. How do I know what I’m voting for?
   • What you’re voting for depends on where you live. You can go to ballotready.org and enter your address to see what positions are up for election, who the candidates are for those positions and what their stances are, and what ballot measures (sometimes called ballot initiatives or referendums) will be on your ballot.
4. Why do I need to register to vote?
   • Voter registration exists to verify your identity and eligibility to vote in an upcoming election. Fun fact: North Dakota is the only state that does not have voter registration!
5. Do I need to register for every election?
   • No. Once you have registered to vote in one location, you will remain registered in that location. If you move, however, you must register to vote again at your new address. It’s always good to check your registration to ensure you haven’t been removed from the voter roll.
6. Can I vote if I just moved?
   • Some states require that you be a resident for a certain period of time (often 30 days) prior to an election in order to register to vote. If you have recently moved to a new state, you can check your residency requirement with your state election administrator. If you have moved within your state, you will also need to re-register or update your registration with your new address.
7. Can I vote if I am experiencing homelessness or in transitional housing?
   • Yes. You can find information on how to register and vote if you are experiencing homelessness or if you do not have a permanent address here.
8. When do I have to register by?
   • In some states, you can register to vote on election day. Other states have deadlines up to 30 days before an election. You can check your state’s deadline at ballotready.org.
9. Where do I go to vote?
   • You can make your plan to vote, including where you will vote if you are voting in person, at ballotready.org.
10. What do I need to bring with me to vote?
    • Some states have laws that require you to present a photo ID in order to vote in person, even if you are already registered. You can check your state’s ID requirements here.
11. Can I vote by mail?
    • Laws around voting by mail vary from state to state. In some states, all elections are conducted by mail. In others, you must provide a reason for requesting a mail-in ballot. You can check your state’s requirements here.
12. What is the difference between a primary election and a general election?
    • A primary narrows the field of candidates and determines who will appear on the ballot in the general election. In some states a candidate can win out-right in a primary election depending on the percentage of votes they earn. Depending on your state, your ability to vote on candidates in a primary may require you to be registered with a specific political party. 
13. What are midterm elections?
    • The President of the United States is elected every four years. Midterm elections are the general elections held approximately two years into the President’s four-year term. Like presidential elections, midterms are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November. Every member of the House of Representatives is up for election at the midterm, as well as one-third of Senators. 36 states also elect their governors at the midterm.
14. If I'm in college, should I register at home or on campus?
    • This decision is up to you! Depending on where you are from and where you go to school it may be easier to vote in one or the other location. For example, if your home state does not have an easy vote by mail process, it may be easier to register and vote with your campus address. It may also be useful to consider whether you feel more personally connected to the political outcomes of one or the other location – for example, if your home state is voting on legislation that matters to you, staying registered with your home address would allow you to add your voice to that political discussion.
15. Do I need to register with a political party?
    • This decision is up to you! Depending on your state, your ability to vote on candidates in a primary may require you to be registered with a specific political party. In addition, some states don’t require you to register with a political party to vote in non-presidential primary elections, but do require you to register for presidential primary elections.  
16. Do I need a driver's license or other form of state ID to register to vote?
    • This depends on the way you want to register to vote and your state. You can always register in-person or by mail with a paper form using your Social Security number (SSN). However, in order to register online, some states require that you have a state-issued ID such as a driver's license.
17. Do I need to be 18 to register to vote?
    • If you’re 18, you’re old enough to vote – but states have different rules on when you can actually register. In most states, you can register if you’ll be 18 by the next election. Others offer pre-registration when you turn 16 or 17. Some states require you to be as old as 17 and 10 months or within 90 days of your 18th birthday. You can find more information here.
18. Why do voting laws vary between states?
    • In the United States, elections are administered by state governments, not the federal government, so each state controls its own elections and sets its own rules. Some states have home rule, which means that county and city governments can establish their own laws on running elections.
19. How do I register to vote?
    • Voter registration laws vary between states. If you think that you might already be registered to vote, you can check at ballotready.org. If you are not yet registered at your current address, the site will direct you to your state’s instructions on how to do so.