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Aristotle said "man is a political animal," but he could not have imagined the ferocity of our recent election years. This year's presidential race has been wild and unpredictable.
Aside from the actual politics, there have been some recent changes that, depending on the state that you live in, could mean that you won't get to cast your vote in November. Even if you've been registered and voting without issue for years, it's wise to check your registration.
In Texas, thousands of voters have found their registration is in "suspense," requiring them to take action if they want to vote in their proper precinct come November. In Georgia, a web form for canceling registration went online that only required three publicly available pieces of information, resulting in fraudulently canceled voter registration. And Elon Musk's AmericaPAC online voter registration page is deliberately misleading people.
Whether you want to check your voter registration status or register to vote for the first time, in many cases, you may be able to do so online.
Who Can Vote?
The basic requirements to vote in a federal election in the United States are that you are a US citizen (by birth or naturalization) who is at least 18 years old on Election Day. But there are other rules that vary by state, such as residency dates, criminal conviction status, and controversial voter ID requirements.
What is the Deadline for Registration?
The deadline for voter registration varies state by state and within those states, by method of registration. Vote.org has a complete list of deadlines.
Can I Register to Vote Online?
Forty-two states and districts allow for online registration. Go to Vote.gov's registration page and select your state to register to vote or change your information.
What If My State Doesn't Let Me Register Online?
Should your state not have online voter registration, you can print out a form from the United States Election Assistance Commission and mail it in. Go to page 3 on the form for the specific instructions for each state.
Where Can I Check My Voter Registration Status?
To check your voter registration status, you can visit the National Association of Secretaries of State's voter registration tool, which connects you to your state's lookup. (When we checked the states, we found Alaska's link was broken, so for that one, you can find your status here.)
What If I'm in the Military or Voting From Overseas?
US citizens who do not currently reside in the United States (whether for military or other reasons) and need voting assistance can find it via the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
Can I Register to Vote With My Campus Address?
You can register to vote in whichever location you consider "home" (though of course, you can only register in one place). Vote.org has an entire guide for college students.
Become a Poll Worker
If you want to get even more involved in the election this year, consider becoming a poll worker. You’ll be given training and, depending on your state, could be paid. Head to PowerthePolls.org for details.