Where and How to Register to Vote

Each state makes its own voting and election rules, including when and how to register. Check with your state or local election office to get the most detailed and up-to-date information for where you live.

There are 4 convenient ways to register to vote or update your registration. Use this page to learn how.

You must register to vote at the address where you actually live – your residence address. Owning property or a business in a county does not make you a resident of that county.

To register to vote:

1. Fill out a voter registration application form.
2. Your county voter registration office reviews the form.
3. If your registration is accepted, you will get a voter registration card in the mail. The voter registration card will show your name, address, party affiliation, and the address where you will vote.

How to Register to Vote – 3 ways to register to vote. You can register:

1. How to Register to Vote Online.
2. How to Register to Vote by Mail.
3. How to Register to Vote in person at your county voter registration office.

How to Register to Vote Online

1. Fill in the form on a laptop, tablet, or mobile device.
2. Your county elections office will review the application.
3. When your registration is complete, you will receive your voter registration card in the mail.

Before you begin, be sure to have your driver’s license or DOT ID card handy. If you don’t have one, you can upload a signature or print and sign the form.

Once you submit your online application, it will go to the appropriate county voter registration office for processing.

If your voter registration card does not come in the mail within 14 days, contact your county voter registration office.

Register to vote by U.S. Mail

If you prefer to use a paper form, you can download the Voter Registration Application. Print it, then fill it in, sign it and send it to your county voter registration office. Paper voter registration forms must be received in county voter registration offices by the close of business on the voter registration deadline.

1. Fill in the paper application. Be sure to sign your name at the bottom.
2. Address the envelope to your county voter registration office.
3. Be sure to put a stamp on the envelope before you mail it.
4. Your county elections office will review the application.
5. When your registration is complete, you will receive your voter registration card in the mail.

Register to vote in person

You can register to vote in your county at the county voter registration office or any of the government agencies listed below. Paper voter registration forms must be received in county voter registration offices by the close of business on the voter registration deadline.

1. Fill in the paper application. Be sure to sign your name at the bottom.
2. Give the completed form to the clerk.
3. The clerk will check the information on your application.
4. When your registration is complete, you will receive your voter registration card in the mail.

Voter Registration Deadlines

Every state except North Dakota requires citizens to register if they want to become voters. Depending on your state, the registration deadline could be as much as a month before an election.

Check the U.S. Vote Foundation to find your state’s deadline for registering. You can also check your state or territory’s election office for more details.

Video: Guide for the New Voter

If you’re getting ready to vote for the first time, this short video can help. It goes over the basic requirements for voting in the U.S., and explains why it’s important to know your state’s specific rules for voting.