What is voter registration?

Voter registration is the process of officially enrolling as a voter in your state's election system before you can vote. Voter registration laws are set by each state, with some federal requirements set by federal laws including the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (the Motor Voter Act) and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. Most states require eligible voters to register some time before each election. Common registration deadlines are 15 to 30 days before the election, though some states allow same-day registration. Twenty-three states plus the District of Columbia allow same-day registration as of 2024, meaning eligible voters can register and vote on the same day, including on Election Day. North Dakota is unique in not requiring voter registration at all; eligible North Dakota residents simply show identification at the polls.

To register, eligible voters typically must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old by the next election, residents of the state, and not currently disqualified due to a felony conviction or other reason set by state law. Some states allow 16- or 17-year-olds to pre-register so that they will be ready to vote when they turn 18. Registration can usually be done at state Department of Motor Vehicles offices (under the Motor Voter Act, DMVs must offer voter registration), at state and local election offices, by mail, online (in 42 states plus D.C. as of 2024), and at certain government agencies and voter registration drives. Many states have automatic voter registration, meaning eligible residents are registered automatically when they interact with the DMV or other state agencies, unless they opt out. Twenty-five states and D.C. have some form of automatic registration as of 2024.

Once registered, voters generally remain registered until they move to another state, change their name, or fail to vote in several consecutive elections (depending on state law). States periodically conduct voter list maintenance to remove voters who have moved, died, or otherwise become ineligible. Some states have been criticized for over-aggressive purges that remove eligible voters; others have been criticized for keeping ineligible voters on the rolls. Registration drives by political parties, civic groups, and nonpartisan organizations have been important in expanding the electorate, particularly among young voters, minority voters, and new citizens. As a recent or soon-to-be U.S. citizen, you can register to vote as soon as you take the oath of citizenship.