Make Your Vote Count: How to Register and Where to Go

You’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again: every vote counts. Yes, even yours. So this election year, get the information you need to make sure your vote does count.

How to Vote

How to Register to Vote

The following sites offer information and tools to help you register to vote.

• JustVote.org has an online voter registration form you can fill out and print. The site also offers information about polling places, registration deadlines, absentee voting and state propositions.
• Vote411.org offers registration information for each state in the U.S. Click on your state in the map to get contact information, registration deadlines, eligibility requirements, and more.
• The National Mail Voter Registration Form allows you to register to vote from anywhere in the U.S. You can also use this form to update your voter registration information if you changed your name, moved, or want to register with a political party. 
• League of Women Voters has an online voter registration form, as well as an online form to request an absentee ballot.  
• Congress.org provides voter registration applications that you can fill out online, print, and mail to your state’s election office. Just select your state or territory from the map.

If you are eligible to vote but temporarily live outside your county or are unable to get to your polling location, you may be able to get an absentee or mail-in ballot. Learn more about absentee and mail-in ballots.

And remember, don’t wait! Each state has a deadline for voter registration. Find out the voter registration deadlines in your state.

Where to Vote

If you are not doing a mail-in ballot or absentee ballot, you will need to vote in person at your designated polling place. Look at your voter registration card to find out the address and hours of operation of your polling place. If you don’t know your polling place, use the following resources:

• Vote411.org has an online polling place locator.  Choose your state from the list to find out where you need to go to cast your vote!
• You can also contact your state’s election office to find your polling place.

How to Vote

• Make sure you bring some form of ID. Most states will ask for ID, anything from a student ID to a utility bill. If you live in Indiana, Georgia or Florida, you will be required to show a photo ID when you vote. Find out what type of ID your state requires.
• Ballots and voting systems vary from county to county, so follow the directions carefully. Many polling places will have a sample ballot posted, so you can use that as a reference. 
• And remember, don’t feel like you have to vote in every part of the ballot. You may not have been able to inform yourself on a particular issue or candidate. In those cases, it may be best to leave that part blank.

What happens if you get to the polls and your name isn’t on the voter list? You can still vote! Just ask about a provisional ballot. Then, make sure to follow up with your state’s election office to prove that you are qualified to vote.