VoterEDU Resource Center

Voting is one way people participate in democracy and make their voices heard. Elections help decide who represents communities at the local, state, and national levels. Elected officials make decisions about schools, public safety, taxes, transportation, health care, housing, and many other issues that affect everyday life.

A primary election is used to decide which candidates will represent a political party in the general election. In some races, voters may choose between candidates from the same party. A general election is when voters choose among the candidates who won their primaries, along with any eligible independent or third-party candidates. The winner of the general election is usually the person elected to serve in that office.

Generally, you can vote if you are a U.S. citizen, meet your state’s residency requirements, and are at least 18 years old by Election Day. Note that rules regarding voting rights for individuals with past felony convictions vary significantly by state.

You can register online, by mail, or in person at your local election office or DMV. Deadlines vary by state—some require you to register up to 30 days before an election, while others allow same-day registration at the polling place. Please refer to the links in the Quick Actions and Election Information by County sections above for more detailed information.

You can check your voter registration status through your state or local election office website (see Quick Links above). Voters should check their registration before an election, especially if they recently moved, changed their name, or have not voted in a while.

Early voting allows eligible voters to cast their ballot in person before Election Day. The dates, times, and locations for early voting vary by state and county. Early voting can be helpful for voters who may have work, school, transportation, caregiving, or scheduling conflicts on Election Day.

ID requirements are entirely dependent on your state. Some states require a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport), others accept non-photo IDs (like a utility bill or bank statement), and some require no physical ID at all. It is highly recommended to check your specific state’s voter ID laws before heading out.

You can view a sample ballot by visiting your local election official’s above or using nonpartisan resources like Vote411 or Ballotpedia. Reviewing a sample ballot ahead of time allows you to research local candidates and ballot measures at your own pace.

In a closed primary, you can only vote for candidates of the political party you are registered with. In an open primary, you can choose which party’s ballot you want to vote on, regardless of your personal party registration.

Mail-in voting allows you to fill out your ballot at home and return it via mail or a secure drop box. Depending on your state, you may need a specific excuse to request an absentee ballot (like being out of town or having a medical condition), while other states allow “no-excuse” mail voting or automatically mail ballots to all registered voters.

If your eligibility is questioned, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot. Election officials will research your eligibility after the election; if they confirm you were properly registered and in the correct jurisdiction, your vote will be counted.

Many states have laws requiring employers to grant employees paid or unpaid time off to vote, usually if the employee doesn’t have enough non-working hours while polls are open. Because these laws vary, check your state’s specific labor or election codes to know your rights.