VOTING
FAQS
Everything you need to know before you head to the polls. Looking for something specific? Jump to the section you need.
1. Register
All about voter registration, deadlines, moving, etc.
2. Get Ready to Vote
Where, when, and how to vote.
3. Know your Rights
Voting rights, voter suppression, and getting help.
4. What IF...?
Special situations and common “what if” questions.
5. How Elections Work
How elections, officials, and your vote work.
6. Get Involved
Ways to participate beyond voting.
Ready to make your voice heard? Get the information you need to register to vote, check your registration status, and understand important deadlines.
How do I register to vote?
- Click here to register to vote. You will need a valid ID to register for federal and state elections.
- Fill out the form with your information.
- If you need to register or update your registration, we’ll send you directly to your state’s registration website.
How do I check my voting status?
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Click here to check your voter registration status. If you’re already registered, we’ll confirm you’re set.
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If we can’t confirm your voter registration status, we’ll help you make any necessary changes — whether that’s registering to vote or updating your voter registration.
Can I register to vote after the deadline but before the election?
You can still register, but you will not be able to vote until the next election unless your state allows registration at the polls on election day. Find voter registration deadlines for your state here. Depending on where you live, you can still make your voice heard!
Are there deadlines for registering to vote, voting early, and voting by mail in my state?
Yes. Every state has different deadlines, and your state may have multiple deadlines for things like voter registration, early voting, and more. Here’s how to find yours:
- Visit the Voter Resources Hub and click on your state to find elections happening where you live.
- Then, click on the box that says “Next Statewide Election.” Scroll to the bottom of the page for your key voter deadlines.
⏱️ Takes less than 2 minutes
Now that you’re registered, it’s time to get ready to vote! Visit our Voter Resources Hub to find your polling place, check your ID requirements, see what’s on your ballot, and more.
Where do I vote?
Whether you’re voting early or on Election Day, start with our Voter Resources Hub.
- Click on your state, then scroll down to the “How to Vote” section.
- Select “How do I vote in person?” to find a link to look up your polling place, see whether your state offers early voting, and learn what you need to bring with you.
Takes less than 2 minutes
Can I vote by mail? How does voting by mail work?
Voting by mail — also called absentee voting — is a convenient and accessible way to cast your ballot from home. The rules vary by state, but here’s how to get started:
- Check your registration: Register to vote or check your voter registration status.
- Check if your state allows voting by mail: Fill out this form to get started! We’ll let you know if your state allows voting by mail and whether you can request a ballot online.
- Complete your ballot request: After you fill out the form, we’ll send you to the right place to complete your ballot request based on your state’s rules.
Takes 3 minutes
Once your application is approved, you will receive your ballot in the mail. Follow the instructions carefully and make sure to return your ballot by your state’s deadline.
Keep in mind: Every state has its own rules around absentee voting. In some states, voting by mail is only available under specific circumstances. Voters in those states will need to verify their eligibility before requesting a mail ballot.
How do I vote early?
Early voting – sometimes called “in-person absentee” voting – lets you cast your ballot in person before Election Day. Most states offer some form of early voting, but the rules vary by state. Here’s how to make your plan:
- Check your registration: Register to vote or check your voter registration status.
- Check out the early voting rules in your state: Head to our Voter Resources Hub and click on your state. Scroll down to the “How to Vote” section and select “Can I vote early?”
- Make your early voting plan: You’ll find when you can vote early, links to your Secretary of State’s website to find your early voting polling place and its hours of operation, what identification to bring with you, and more!
Takes 5 minutes
Keep in mind: Your early voting polling location could differ from your Election Day polling location, and the hours may vary as well. Make sure to read carefully so your voice is heard!
Do I need an ID to vote?
If you didn’t provide an ID number when you registered, you may be asked for ID the first time you vote. For everyone else, it depends on your state’s laws. Check out whether your state has a voter ID law here. Need assistance? Learn more or receive voter ID help through VoteRiders.
⏱️ Takes less than 2 minutes
How do I find out what’s on my ballot?
Remember, your ballot is not a pop quiz! You can review your ballot ahead of time and make an informed decision before you head to the polls here. Once you fill out the form, click “View Election Guide” to find your sample ballot.
⏱️ Takes 3 minutes
Your voice and your vote have power. Get the facts about your voting rights, help us fight voter suppression, and make sure your voice is heard in each and every election.
What are my rights as a voter?
- If you’re in line when polls are supposed to close, stay in line — you have the right to vote.
- If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
- If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.
- If your citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications are questioned, immediately call the Election Protection Hotline where trained volunteers are available to help.
- If you run into any problems or have questions before or on Election Day, call the Election Protection Hotline:
- English: 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683
- Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682
- Arabic: 844-YALLA-US / 844-925-5287
- Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE / 888-274-8683
What do I do if someone or something has prevented me from registering to vote or casting my ballot?
Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer.
How can I make sure my mail-in ballot was accepted?
Every vote matters — and our democracy needs us to count every last one. Online mail-in or absentee ballot tracking is available in every state except Illinois, Missouri, and Wyoming. Here’s how to track your ballot:
- Head to our Voter Resources Hub and click on your state.
- Scroll down to the “How to Vote” section and select “How can I check the status of my mail ballot?”
- Click the link provided to go directly to your Secretary of State’s mail-in ballot tracker.
Takes less than 3 minutes
What is voter suppression?
Long lines, hours of waiting, broken voting machines, limiting polling locations, and other barriers to voting are all forms of voter suppression, and they disproportionately impact young people and communities of color. Voter suppression is not only a partisan or intentional effort — it is a sign of a democracy that is neither free nor just.
I have a felony conviction. Can I vote?
Our partners at Campaign Legal Center set up a free tool, Restore Your Vote, where you can check to see if you’re eligible to vote right now. If you run into trouble using this tool or have a question about your convictions, you can also call 1-888-306-8683 (toll-free) or email [email protected].
Everyone’s voting journey looks a little different. Get answers to common questions about moving, voting from abroad, language access, age requirements, and other situations that may affect how you vote.
What if I’m not 18 yet? Can I still pre-register to vote?
In most states, you can pre-register to vote if you’ll be 18 years old by the next general election. Some states let you pre-register as early as 15 or 16 years old, although you cannot actually vote until you turn 18. And in 21 states, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election.
Learn more:
What if I'm living outside of the U.S.?
U.S. citizens living abroad can receive an absentee ballot by email, fax, or internet download, depending on the state they are eligible to vote in. Click here for international absentee voting information.
What if I need a ballot in a language other than English?
Throughout the U.S., ballots are available in many languages for voters with limited English proficiency. Learn more.
What should I do if I recently moved?
You need to update your voter registration immediately after you move. Every state has a different deadline for voter registration, but in most places, it’s somewhere between 15 and 30 days before an election. Click here to get started!
What if my name has changed?
If your name has changed, you need to update your voter registration. Learn how to change your voter registration here.
What if I need more voter information for free?
- English: 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683
- Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682
- Arabic: 844-YALLA-US / 844-925-5287
- Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE / 888-274-8683
What if I am worried about whether my voter registration information is confidential?
States have different requirements on who is eligible to request a list of voters, what information the list contains, what information is kept confidential, and how the information contained in voter lists may be used. The availability of voter lists for campaign purposes is longstanding; candidates benefit from knowing who their party’s voters are. However, not every record is publicly available. Learn more about access to and use of voter registration lists.
You may have heard reports about the federal government seeking voters’ private information. So far, 34 states and the District of Columbia have refused these requests. Thirty of those states have been sued by the federal government for the lists, and nearly all of those suits were dismissed by federal courts. To learn more about these requests and the latest developments, click here.
Ever wondered how elections actually work? Learn how elections are run, how your vote shapes your community, and what elected officials do at every level of government.
How do elections work?
Every state runs elections a little differently, which can make the whole process feel confusing. To break it down, think of an election as a process with a few key steps: candidates run, voters cast their ballots, election officials count their ballots, and the results are certified.
The exact rules and timelines vary by state, including voter registration deadlines, when you can vote, what’s on your ballot, and when results are finalized. Curious about how presidential elections work? Check out this video to learn more in just 4 minutes!
Who runs elections? How do they impact my rights?
The TL;DR: states run elections, not the federal government. That’s why things like registration deadlines, voting methods, and how ballots are counted vary depending on where you live.
Each state has election agencies that oversee things like voter registration and training local election officials. At the local level, election offices handle the day-to-day work of running elections, including staffing polling places, administering ballots, and counting votes.
Your voting rights are protected by federal and state laws, but what your access to the ballot really feels like depends on decisions made at the state and local level. That includes how many polling places are available, how far they are from you, and whether you can vote by mail.
Want a 10-minute crash course? Check out this video to learn more about how elections are run, why we vote in November, and the basics every first-time voter should know.
Why is it important to vote?
Your vote is your power to have a say in the decisions that shape your everyday life. From the economy and housing to healthcare and education, elected officials make decisions that impact the issues you care about most.
Tired of the status quo? Want to hold your elected officials accountable? Make sure YOU have a say in what comes next by casting your ballot.
What do my congressional representatives and senators do?
Congress is made up of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Each state has two senators and a proportional number of representatives (aka states with more people get more representatives).
Congress votes on and funds the issues we care about most: healthcare, student loans, climate change, and more. They can also hold government agencies — like the FDA, CDC, and Department of Education — accountable and confirm appointments to the Supreme Court.
What are the most important elected positions at the state level?
They are all important, they just have different jobs. Every state has a governor, attorney general, state legislature, and more. Other elected officials — secretaries of state, treasurers, and lieutenant governors — vary state by state.
Together, these state officials make decisions that impact YOUR life. Think laws, budgets, elections, and more that directly impact you and your communities, like access to reproductive healthcare, redistricting, and gun control measures.
How do local officials impact my daily life?
96% of our nation’s elected officials are at the local level — including mayors, town or city council members, school board members, and more.
From fixing potholes and the taxes that come out of your paycheck to approving AI data centers and the police presence in your neighborhood, it’s your local officials who decide the issues closest to home.
Knowing who represents you at the local level is just as important as knowing who represents you in DC.
Does my vote matter?
Yes — full stop. Elections can come down to just a handful of voters, especially at the local level. That means your group chat could decide an election. Think we’re kidding? In 2025, elections in Michigan and Nevada were decided by a coin toss and the luck of a draw.
Voting is just the beginning. Find ways to get involved with When We All Vote, make your voice heard beyond the ballot box, and help more people participate in our democracy.
How do I get involved with When We All Vote and help others get registered and ready to vote?
Join our squad here to stay up to date about everything from upcoming events and volunteer opportunities to your local election deadlines and breaking voting rights news.
If you are a corporate or community partner who wants to get involved, fill out this form to learn more about our voter education work, registration and turnout efforts, Party at the Polls, Pass the Mic to Gen Z, and more.
How can I make my voice heard beyond voting?
Voting is one of the most important tools we have, but it’s not the only one. Your leaders need to hear from you. Whether you participate in a town hall, attend a school board meeting, or call your member of Congress, make a plan to hold your elected officials accountable.
You don’t have to wait for Election Day to make your voice heard. That’s why Pass the Mic to Gen Z wants to hear directly from you about the issues that matter most. Make your voice heard today!
How do I find a When We All Vote event near me?
Get involved IRL by signing up for volunteer opportunities, learning more about our Party at the Polls program, or finding a nearby event here.
How can I start a voter registration drive?
Thank you for getting your community registered! Head to our Take Action page to join us and receive updates for upcoming deadlines, organizing tips, and messaging you can share with your community.
I'm not 18 yet. How can I get involved in voting work?
You don’t have to be 18 to make your voice heard or get involved in your community! You can:
- Encourage your family and friends to check their voter registration (P.S., check out our “What if I’m not 18 yet? Can I still pre-register to vote?” FAQ to learn more about pre-registering to vote. You may be eligible!);
- Volunteer with a local community group and attend city council meetings;
- And learn more about the issues on the ballot in your community.
Want to stay in the know? Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTube for the updates you need to stay informed.
I want to join the fight for voting rights. How do I get involved?
Click here to take action. When we organize, mobilize, show up, and vote, we can make real change in our country and demand a better future for all.