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Everything You Need to Know About Voting

What Voting Does and What It Doesn’t

Voting is one of the most important tools citizens have in a democracy.

It allows people to choose who holds public office, influences which policies and ideas move forward, and signals what issues matter most to the public.

Voting helps shape the direction of communities, states, and the country as a whole.
However, voting does not instantly solve every problem or guarantee specific outcomes as elected officials still debate, compromise, and make decisions within complex systems.

Voting also does not replace the need for civic participation between elections.
Staying informed, engaging with community issues, and holding leaders accountable are essential for democracy to function effectively.

Who is Is Eligible to Vote

This section was created to help citizens understand who is legally eligible to vote in United States elections. It explains federal baseline requirements, state variations, special circumstances, and common misconceptions so you can clearly determine eligibility before registering.

Core Eligibility Requirements:

To vote in U.S. federal elections, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Be at least 18 years old by Election Day
Meet your state’s residency requirements
Not be currently disqualified under your state’s felony laws

Voting eligibility is primarily determined by state law under authority granted by the U.S. Constitution, but states must follow federal constitutional protections.

Constitutional Voting Protections:

The following constitutional amendments prohibit discrimination in voting:

15th Amendment to the United States Constitution:
Prohibits denial of voting rights based on race.

19th Amendment to the United States Constitution: Prohibits denial of voting rights based on sex.

26th Amendment to the United States Constitution: Establishes 18 as the national minimum voting age.

Federal law such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 provides additional protections against discriminatory voting practices.

Age Requirements:

You must be 18 years old on or before Election Day to vote in federal elections.

However, Some states allow:

Pre-registration at 16 or 17
17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be
18 by the general election

Check your state’s rules for specifics.

Citizenship:

Only U.S. citizens may vote in federal elections. Naturalized citizens are eligible once the naturalization process is complete.
Non-citizens are generally not permitted to vote in federal or state elections.

A small number of municipalities allow limited non-citizen voting in certain local elections only.

Residency:

You must meet your state’s residency requirements. College students may choose to register at their campus address or their permanent home address but not both.

Homeless citizens are still eligible to vote and may register using a shelter address or location description, depending on state procedures. Learn more at vote.gov

Felony Convictions:

Eligibility varies by state.
Some states:
Restore voting rights after completion of a sentence
Restore rights after probation or parole
Require an application process
Restrict voting during incarceration

Because these rules differ widely, confirm directly with your state election office or check out vote.gov.

Who Is Generally Not Eligible:
Non-citizens
Individuals under 18 on Election Day
Individuals currently disqualified under state felony laws
Individuals declared mentally incompetent to vote by a court (varies by state)

Common Misconceptions:
You do not need to own property to vote.
You do not need to pass a test.
You do not lose citizenship by voting.
You cannot vote in two states at once.

Tip:

Eligibility rules are set by each state within federal constitutional boundaries. Always confirm your status directly with your official state election office before Election Day.

How to Register to Vote

This guide helps U.S. citizens understand how to register to vote with confidence.

It covers eligibility requirements, documents you may need, registration methods, deadlines, and helpful tips to ensure your registration is complete and accurate.

Eligibility Requirements:

To register to vote you must meet the following creteria:

You must be a U.S. citizen
Meet your state’s residency requirements
Be at least 18 years old by Election Day (some states allow preregistration).

Note: You must also not be disqualified due to certain felony convictions, which vary by state. Always check your state’s specific rules for confirmation.

Required Documents:

Most states require a state-issued ID or driver’s license to verify identity and residency.

If your ID does not list your current address, additional proof of residency—such as a utility bill or lease agreement—may be required.

Some states may also request proof of age, like a birth certificate or passport, or a Social Security number (often just the last four digits).

Ways to Register:

Eligible voters can register online, by mail, or in person. Online registration is available through your state’s official website, which you can find at nass.org/can-I-vote. Mail-in registration requires downloading, completing, and mailing your state’s voter registration form. In-person registration is available at local election offices or DMVs. Some states also offer same-day or Election Day registration at polling places with proper identification.

Registration Deadlines:

Deadlines vary by state and by registration method. Online and mail-in registrations typically close two to three weeks before an election, with mail forms needing to be postmarked by the deadline. In-person deadlines may be closer to Election Day, and same-day registration is available only in states that allow it.

Tracking Your Registration:

Keep a personal record of your registration details, including your name, address, date of birth, contact information, registration method, and submission date. Saving copies of submitted forms can help with follow-up if needed.

Helpful Tips:

Register as early as possible to avoid delays, double-check all information before submitting, and confirm your registration status online or with your local election office a few weeks before Election Day. Setting a reminder to re-check your registration before each election is also a smart habit.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If you’ve recently moved, you should update your voter registration as soon as possible. Mistakes on your form can usually be corrected by contacting your local election office. Voting rights for individuals with felony convictions depend on state law. You can also check whether you’re already registered by visiting nass.org/can-I-vote.

Where to Vote?

This guide helps voters find, verify, and plan for their polling location so they can vote confidently and avoid delays on Election Day.

Gather Required Information:

Before searching for your polling place, have your registered name and address available.

Knowing your county or district and having access to your state voter registration record will make it easier to locate accurate polling information.

Find Your Polling Location:

The most reliable way to find your polling place is through your state’s official elections website or nass.org/can-I-vote.

By entering your name, address, and date of birth, you can view your assigned polling location, voting hours, and district or precinct details.

Polling information can also be confirmed by calling your local election office or reviewing official voter cards or mail notices sent by your state.

Verify Polling Details:

Once you locate your polling place, confirm the address, voting hours, and precinct number.

Check whether accessibility features are available, such as ramps, curbside voting, assistive devices, or language assistance.

Planning transportation in advance and saving a confirmation—such as a screenshot, email, or mailed notice—can help prevent issues on Election Day.

Plan Your Route:

Create a simple plan for traveling from your home to your polling place. Consider travel time, parking availability, or public transportation options. If needed, identify accessible entrances or drop-off areas ahead of time so you know exactly where to go when you arrive.

Accessibility Information:

Many polling places offer accommodations to support voters with disabilities or language needs. These may include wheelchair-accessible entrances, curbside voting, assistive voting tools for visually impaired voters, and translation or interpreter services. Contact your local election office in advance to confirm which accommodations are available at your polling location.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Polling places may change between elections, so it is important to verify your location each time you vote. If lines are long, arriving early can help, and poll workers are available to provide assistance. Children are generally allowed to accompany voters, and anyone in line before polls close has the right to vote.

Helpful Tips:

Check your polling place two to three weeks before Election Day, save multiple confirmations of your location, and plan ahead for travel and accessibility needs. Sharing accurate polling information with family, friends, or neighbors can also help others prepare to vote.

Voting Accessibility & Special Circumstances

Every eligible citizen has the right to vote, even if assistance or accommodations are needed. This guide is designed to help voters navigate accessibility needs, first-time voting concerns, and special circumstances so everyone can participate confidently and independently.

First-Time Voters:

If this is your first time voting, start by confirming that your voter registration is active. Make sure you have the required identification for your state and review a sample ballot ahead of time so you know what to expect. Planning your visit—such as confirming your polling location, hours, and accessibility options—can make the experience smoother. Arriving early allows time to ask questions or resolve any issues, and poll workers are available to help if needed.

Voters with Disabilities or Accessibility Needs:

Many polling places offer accessible entrances, voting machines, and assistive tools such as magnifiers, tactile ballots, screen readers, or headphones. Curbside voting may be available if you are unable to enter the polling place, and trained poll workers can assist with marking ballots upon request. Service animals are allowed in polling locations. It’s a good idea to confirm accessibility options in dvance and notify poll workers of any assistance needs when you arrive.

Voting Away From Home:

College students can choose to register at their school address or vote by absentee ballot from their home address, depending on preference. Military and overseas voters should register and request ballots using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and carefully track submission deadlines. Travelers or temporary residents can usually vote by requesting an absentee or mail-in ballot from their home state.

Language Access:

Many polling locations provide ballots and voting instructions in multiple languages, along with bilingual poll workers or translators. Some locations also offer audio instructions or large-print materials. Contact your local election office ahead of time to confirm what language services are available.

Helpful Tips:

Confirm accessibility needs and accommodations two to three weeks before Election Day, and rely on official state or local election websites for accurate information. Consider backup options such as early voting, mail-in ballots, or curbside voting if needed. Sharing accessibility resources with friends, family, or community members can also help ensure everyone is prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If you cannot physically enter a polling place, ask about curbside voting. Accessible ballots and assistive voting devices are available in many locations for visually impaired voters. Students may vote where they attend school if registered there, or by absentee ballot from home. Military and overseas voters can use the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) to register and vote.

Absentee / Mail-in Ballot Instructions

Absentee and mail-in voting allow eligible voters to cast their ballot without voting in person. This section focuses on how to request, complete, and submit your ballot correctly so it is counted.

Confirm Eligibility:

Absentee and mail-in voting rules are set by each state. Before requesting a ballot, review your state’s official election website to confirm eligibility requirements and deadlines that apply to you.

Requesting a Ballot:

Depending on your state, ballots may be requested online, by mail, or in person at a local election office. Online requests are typically submitted through your state’s official elections website. Mail requests require completing, signing, and returning a ballot request form. Some election offices allow voters to request and pick up ballots in person with proper identification. Submitting requests early helps avoid processing or delivery delays.

Completing Your Ballot:

Follow all provided instructions carefully before marking your ballot. Use the required writing tool, complete every required section, and make selections clearly. Be sure to sign and date your ballot exactly as your voter registration information appears. Some states require additional verification, such as witness signatures, which must be included to avoid rejection.

Submitting Your Ballot:

Place your completed ballot in the correct envelope(s) and submit it by mail or at an approved drop-off location before your state’s deadline. Many states provide ballot-tracking systems that allow voters to confirm when their ballot is received and accepted. Keep any tracking information or confirmation for your records.

Deadlines and Best Practices:

Ballot request and submission deadlines vary by state and method. To reduce the risk of errors or delays, request your ballot as early as possible, review all instructions before submitting, and use official tracking tools when available. Secure drop boxes may be an option if mail timing is a concern.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Some states allow another person to return your ballot on your behalf, while others restrict this practice—check state rules before doing so. If you make an error on your ballot, contact your local election office immediately to ask whether a replacement ballot is allowed. Ballot status can usually be confirmed through your state’s official tracking system.

Your Rights as a Voter

Many people avoid voting because they are afraid of doing something wrong, feeling embarrassed, being turned away, or being questioned or challenged.

These fears are understandable, but most come from misinformation or lack of clear guidance. Knowing your rights gives you confidence. Confidence makes participation possible. You have more protections than you may realize.

The Most Important Thing to Know

Voting is a right, not a favor.

Election workers are there to help you vote.
They are not there to judge you, rush you, or discourage you. If something feels confusing or wrong, you are allowed to ask questions, ask for help, take your time, and assert your rights.

Your Basic Voting Rights

As a voter, you have the right to register to vote if you are eligible.

You have the right to vote privately and without intimidation.

You have the right to receive assistance if you need it.

You have the right to ask questions about the voting process.

You have the right to vote even if your name is missing by using a provisional ballot.

You have the right to vote even if someone challenges your eligibility.

You have the right to receive language assistance where required by law

No one is allowed to pressure you on how to vote.
No one is allowed to rush you.
No one is allowed to harass or intimidate you.
No one is allowed to turn you away without offering a legal option.

If Something Goes Wrong at the Polls:

If Your Name Is Not on the Voter List:
You still have the right to vote. Ask for a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot allows you to vote while your eligibility is verified later. This protects your right even if there is a clerical error.

If Someone Challenges Your Eligibility:
This can happen, but it does not mean you did anything wrong. You still have the right to vote provisionally, ask for clear instructions, and receive written information about next steps. Remain calm. Challenges are part of the process, not an accusation.

If You Make a Mistake on Your Ballot:
Mistakes happen. You have the right to request a new ballot and ask a poll worker for instructions. Do not leave without asking for help.

Your Right to Assistance:

You may bring someone to help you vote if you have a disability, have difficulty reading or writing, or need language assistance.

The person assisting you cannot be your employer or a union representative. Poll workers must also provide assistance when requested.

Your Right to Accessibility:

Polling places are required to provide accessible entrances, voting machines for people with disabilities, curbside voting in some areas, and seating for those who need it.

If something is inaccessible, notify a poll worker, ask for accommodations, and ask about alternative voting options.

Your Right to Vote Without Intimidation

Intimidation includes threats, harassment, aggressive questioning, improper filming, or armed presence meant to scare voters.

If this happens, inform a poll worker immediately. Document the incident if it is safe to do so. Contact your local election office or a voter protection hotline.

Common Myths About Voter Rights:

I can be turned away if I do not know enough. This is false. Knowledge is not a requirement.

I cannot ask questions. This is false. Asking questions is encouraged.

I will get in trouble if I mess up. This is false. Election workers are trained to help.

Only certain people qualify for help. This is false. Assistance is a protected right.

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