Elections matter. So does your vote. But you can’t cast a ballot if you’re not registered.
Step one of democracy is ensuring that you are registered to vote if you are eligible.
Get started now!
Register to vote. Receive important voting updates. It takes only minutes to get ready for the next election. Click here to get started.
Not sure if you need to register? Here are 4 reasons why you need to register (or re-register) to vote.
If any of these apply to you, click here to get started.
- You have never registered before.
- You have moved. If you have a new residence, you need to update your voter registration or re-register. If you‘re a student, you may be considering registering where you go to school—learn about the laws that affect students in your state.
- You’ve changed your name. If you’ve legally changed your name, you’ll need to re-register.
- You’ve changed political parties. If you’re planning on voting in a primary, your state may require you to choose a party affiliation in order to vote in that party’s primary. Some states don’t allow those who are registered as independents to vote in either primary, so be sure to check!
In order to vote, you must be a citizen who is eighteen years or older. If you have lost your right to vote due to felony convictions, check this map for your state’s felony disenfranchisement laws, and visit your Secretary of State’s website to learn how to get your voting rights restored.
When registering, have either your driver’s license or state ID number ready. If you don’t have either of those for the state you’re registering in, the last four digits of your social security number is usually sufficient.
Not eligible to vote? No worries! There are many ways you can participate in our democracy, including helping friends and family register to vote. And rest assured that you are still fully eligible to take part in the Science Rising Challenge!
I’m a student and I’m not sure where to register. What should I do?
There are a number of different scenarios for where students should register to vote. Check out this state-by-state resource from the Campus Vote Project to learn more about the rules in your state.
Remember that you can only be registered to vote in ONE state. Be aware that where you are registered to vote has implications for the type of identification you’ll need on Election Day and may affect whether you need to change your driver’s license and vehicle registration. It should not affect federal financial aid or your school tuition status.
I’m not yet 18 but will be soon! How can I register?
You can pledge to register using this simple form from Vote.org. You will receive a text on your 18th birthday with resources to help you register to vote!