Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can fill it out onscreen and print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.
Find guidance for states and territories with different registration procedures.
State and county public assistance offices (SNAP/food stamps, WIC, services for the disabled), where you may fill out and submit a National Mail Voter Registration Form.
To vote in a federal election in the United States, potential voters must meet certain requirements. No matter which state you live in, you are eligible to vote if:
You are a U.S. citizen.
You meet your state’s residency requirements.
You are 18 years old. Some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries and/or register to vote if they will be 18 before the general election.
Some states require you to register at least 30 days prior to the election, while a few allow you to register on Election Day itself.
Primaries and Caucuses
Find your state’s voter registration deadline for the Presidential Primary elections.
Caucuses are run by the state’s political parties, not by the state election office. If your state holds presidential caucuses rather than primaries, contact your state election office or the political party of your choice for complete information on participating, including voter registration requirements.
Many states have additional requirements, such as specific types of identification that you must show at your voting site before being allowed to vote.
The EAC’s voter resources page provides a quick checklist to help ensure you meet your state’s voting requirements and have a seamless experience on Election Day.
Sometimes circumstances might make it difficult or impossible for you to vote on Election Day. But your state may allow you to cast your ballot during a designated early voting period.
Registered voters from every state can request an absentee ballot to vote. However, some states require an excuse to vote absentee.
Members of the United States military, their spouses, and eligible family members routinely request absentee ballots when stationed outside their state of permanent residence.
How do I vote when I am away from home?
You can vote by absentee ballot, which allows you to vote before the election.
You can return the ballot by mail to your local election officials.
Members of the military stationed overseas or outside their legal voting residence always have the right to vote absentee.
Military spouses and other eligible family members are also allowed to vote absentee, under the same law that protects the military member’s right to vote.
The majority of states have early voting, which allows registered voters to cast their ballot during a designated period prior to Election Day.
States with early voting do not require voters to submit an excuse explaining why they need to vote early.
Some states don’t have early voting, but do have in-person absentee voting, which may allow you to cast your vote early as well. But in-person absentee voting will require you to obtain an absentee ballot, and may require an excuse accepted by your state.
The designated time period for early or in-person absentee voting varies from state to state. The best place to check the timeframes and rules for early voting and in-person absentee voting is your state/territorial election office website.
