How, when to register to vote for presidential election
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Early voting kicked off in several states last month as an unprecedented election season hurdles toward Election Day.
Why it matters: In all but one state, Americans must be registered to vote in order to cast their ballot in the 2024 election — and in many states, the deadline to register is just weeks away.
Check voter registration status
Before heading to the polls, voters should make sure they are registered to vote in their state.
- You can check your voter registration status here using Vote.org.
If you're not registered, here's how you can sign up to participate in the 2024 election in every state and Washington, D.C.
Alabama voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in the general election in Alabama this year is Oct. 21.
- Alabamians can register in person, by mail (applications must be postmarked no later than the registration deadline) or online.
Click here to register or learn more.
Alaska voter registration deadline
Deadline: Alaskans must register to vote by Oct. 6.
- In Alaska, applicants can register by mail (postmarked by Oct. 6), in person or online.
Register online or explore other registration methods here.
Arizona last day to register to vote
Deadline: Oct. 7 is the cut-off for in-person and online registration in Arizona.
- For mail-in registration, applications must be postmarked 29 days before Nov. 5 and received by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
- Learn more and register online here.
Arkansas register to vote deadline
Deadline: Oct. 7 is the deadline for both in-person and mail-in registration (postmark deadline) in Arkansas, per Vote.gov.
- Arkansas does not offer online voter registration.
- Find voter registration information here.
California voter registration deadline
Deadline: California's voter registration deadline is Oct. 21.
- Californians can register in person, by mail (must be postmarked 15 days prior to Election Day), or online.
Of note: California state law also offers conditional registration, more commonly known as same-day voter registration, as "a safety net" for those who miss the deadline.
- Citizens who need to register within 14 days of an election can do so in person at their county elections office, polling place or vote center, according to the California Secretary of State's website.
- Those individuals' ballots will be counted once the county elections office completes the registration process.
Colorado last day to register to vote
Deadline: Oct. 28 is the deadline to register to vote online or postmark mail-in registrations in Colorado, according to Vote.gov.
- Register online here.
Yes, but: Colorado allows same-day, in-person registration "at a voter service and polling center in your county" through Election Day.
Connecticut voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Connecticut is Oct. 18 for those seeking to register online or via mail (must be postmarked by the deadline), according to Vote.gov.
- Register here.
Connecticut also offers same-day in-person registration.
- "Same Day Registration (SDR) is not available at your polling place but is available at a designated SDR location in each town, beginning at 6 am and ending at 8 pm on Election Day," per the office of the Connecticut Secretary of State.
Delaware voter registration deadline
Deadline: Delaware's voter registration deadline is Oct. 12, the fourth Saturday before the election.
- Registrants can apply in person, online or via mail (the postmark deadline is Oct. 12)
Register online here.
District of Columbia voter registration deadline
Deadline: Mail-in registrations must be received by Oct. 15 in Washington, D.C., the same deadline to register online.
- But Election Day registration is available in person.
Register online here.
Florida deadline to register to vote
Deadline: Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote in Florida by mail (postmarked by Oct. 7), in person or online.
- Click here to register.
Georgia voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in the Peach State is Oct. 7, the fifth Monday before the election.
- Georgia allows registration in person, online and via mail (postmarked by Oct. 7).
Register online here.
Hawaii voter registration deadline
Deadline: Oct. 28 by 4:30 p.m. is the deadline to submit a paper voter registration application to one's county elections division or postmark a mail-in registration in Hawaii.
- The in-person and online registration deadline, according to Vote.gov, is Election Day.
Yes, but: The state's office of elections recommends registering in person rather than online past the deadline to ensure ballots are received in time.
Click here to register online.
Idaho register to vote deadline
Deadline: Idaho's deadline to register online or via mail to vote in the 2024 election is Oct. 11.
- Mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 11, per Vote.gov.
Idaho allows for in-person same-day voter registration.
- If one is not registered, they can register at their voting location with a photo ID and proof of residence.
Register online here.
Illinois voter registration deadline
Deadline: Illinois' voter registration deadline is Oct. 20 for online registrations and Oct. 8 for regular registrations and registrations via mail to be postmarked.
- Illinois offers same-day in-person registration, or "grace period registration," at sites authorized by each election authority from the 27th day prior to an election through Election Day.
Register online here.
Indiana last day to register to vote
Deadline: Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote in person, via mail (postmarked by Oct. 7) or online in Indiana.
- Click here to register online.
Iowa deadline to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register via mail (postmarked by) or online in Iowa is Oct. 21.
- Iowans can register and vote on Election Day at their correct polling place.
Click here to register.
Kansas voter registration deadline
Deadline: Oct. 15 is the deadline to register to vote online, in person or by mail (must be postmarked by the deadline) in Kansas.
- Click here to register.
Kentucky last day to register to vote
Deadline: Kentucky's deadline is Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. local time for mail, in-person or online voter registration.
Louisiana voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register in person or via mail (must be postmarked by the deadline) to vote in Louisiana is Oct. 7, while the deadline to register online to vote is Oct. 15.
Register to vote here.
Maine voter registration deadline
Deadline: The voter registration deadline in Maine is Oct. 15 for mail-in (registrations via mail must be received by the deadline) or online applications.
- Automatic voter registrations during Bureau of Motor Vehicle transactions are available through Oct. 29 in Maine.
After those deadlines, voter hopefuls can still register in person at the voter's municipality.
- "If you forget to register to vote, don't worry ... Simply fill out your card at the polls on Election Day," the state's voter guide reads.
Register here.
Maryland last day to register to vote
Deadline: Oct. 15 is the cut-off for mail (postmarked by the deadline) and online voter registration in Maryland.
Yes, but: Marylanders can register to vote in person through Election Day at their assigned election day polling place with a document that proves where they live.
- Click here to register.
Massachusetts voter registration deadline
Deadline: Oct. 26 is the deadline to register to vote online, in person, or via mail (must be postmarked by the deadline) in Massachusetts.
- Register to vote here.
Michigan last day to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote online or via mail in Michigan is Oct. 21. Mailed registration applications must be postmarked as sent at least 15 days before Election Day.
- Michigan offers same-day voter registration: Voters must submit a voter registration application in person and present proof of residency at their local clerk's office.
Register online here.
Minnesota register to vote deadline
Deadline: Oct. 15 is the deadline to register in advance to vote via mail or online in Minnesota.
- Mail-in registrations must be received by Oct. 15, per Vote.gov.
- But Minnesotans can register on Election Day at their polling places with approved proof of residence
Click here to register.
Mississippi voter registration deadline
Deadline: The cutoff to register to vote in Mississippi via the mail or in person is Oct. 7.
- Mississippi does not offer online voter registration.
- All applications must be postmarked on or before 30 days prior to the day of the election.
- Click here to learn more.
Missouri last day to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Missouri in person, via mail or online is Oct. 9.
- Mail-in applications must be postmarked by the fourth Wednesday prior to the election (October 9).
Register online here.
Montana voter registration deadline
Deadline: Oct. 7 is the cut-off to postmark a voter registration application to submit via mail in Montana.
- In Montana, you can register to vote in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
- Montana does not offer online registration.
Click here to learn more.
Nebraska last day to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register online or via mail (postmark deadline) to vote in Nebraska is Oct. 18, but Nebraskans have until Oct. 25 to register in person to vote.
- Click here to register.
Nevada voter registration deadline
Deadline: The postmark cut-off to register by mail to vote in Nevada is Oct. 8, while the deadline to register online is Oct. 23.
- Nevada offers same-day in-person voter registration at polling locations, but those registering must have a valid Nevada driver's license or ID card (tribal ID cards may also be used if they meet certain requirements).
Click here to register.
New Hampshire voter registration deadline
Deadline: An application to register via mail to vote in New Hampshire must be received between 6 and 13 days before Election Day, depending on which town you live in, according to Vote.org.
- Residents should check with their clerk's office for the time and place of the Supervisors of the Checklist meeting, which determines the deadline for voter registration in their area.
- Before Election Day, the last day to register is the last meeting of the Supervisors of the Checklist, per Vote.org.
Online voter registration is not offered, but residents can register in person at their town halls before the deadline or register to vote on the day of the election at the polling place.
- New Hampshire allows for same-day registration at the polling place for the town or city ward where the person lives.
- Click here to learn more.
New Jersey last day to register to vote
Deadline: The cut-off to register to vote in New Jersey is Oct. 15.
- Applicants can register via mail (the postmark deadline is Oct. 15), online or in person.
- Click here to register online.
New Mexico voter registration deadline
Deadline: The voter registration deadline in New Mexico is Oct. 8 for mail-in (must postmark by the deadline) and online applications.
New Mexico also offers in-person same-day registration at county clerk offices or at any polling location in a resident's county.
- Click here to register online.
New York deadline to register to vote
Deadline: Online and in-person voter registration applications must be submitted by Oct. 26 in New York.
- Mail-in registrations must be received by the county board of elections no later than 10 days before the election one wants to vote in.
- Register online here.
North Carolina voter registration deadline
Deadline: The cut-off to register to vote online or via mail (must be postmarked by the deadline) in North Carolina is Oct. 11.
- A voter's county board of elections must receive their completed mail-in application, postmarked by the deadline, no later than 20 days before an election.
Of note: North Carolina offers in-person same-day registration only during early voting, which runs from Oct. 17 to Nov. 2.
Register to vote online and learn more here.
North Dakota voter registration
North Dakota is the only state that does not require voter registration.
Yes, but: Voters are required to bring a valid form of identification, like a state driver's license, to a polling location to prove they are a resident.
- Residents have to live in North Dakota for at least 30 days prior to Election Day to vote in the state.
- Check valid forms of ID and learn more here.
Ohio last day to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register via mail, online or in person in Ohio is Oct. 7.
- Mail applications must be postmarked by the deadline, the 30th day before the election.
- Click here to register online.
Oklahoma voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Oklahoma is Oct. 11.
- Mail-in registration applications for the 2024 general election must be received 25 days before the election.
Click here to register to vote online.
Oregon deadline to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote to participate in the 2024 election in Oregon is Oct. 15.
- Oregon offers online, in-person and mail registration methods. Mail applications must be postmarked by the deadline.
Register to vote here.
Pennsylvania voter registration deadline
Deadline: Pennsylvania's voter registration deadline is Oct. 21.
- Pennsylvanians can register to vote in person, online or via the mail. Mail applications must be received by Oct. 21, according to Vote.gov.
Click here to register to vote.
Rhode Island last day to register to vote
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Rhode Island is Oct. 6.
- Applications to register by mail must be postmarked by Oct. 6, according to Vote.gov.
Rhode Island allows same-day voter registration for presidential elections only.
- If one misses the voter registration deadline, they can register to vote on Election Day at the location designated by their local board of canvassers but will only be able to vote for president and vice president.
Register online here.
South Carolina voter registration deadline
Deadline: The cut-off to register in person to vote in South Carolina is Oct. 4, the deadline for online registration is Oct. 6 and mail-in registrations must be postmarked by Oct. 7.
- Click here to register online.
South Dakota deadline to register to vote
Deadline: South Dakota's voter registration deadline is Oct. 21.
- Mail-in registrations must be received by that date, according to Vote.gov.
- South Dakota does not offer online registration.
Click here to learn more.
Tennessee voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Tennessee via mail (postmark deadline), online or in-person is Oct. 7.
- Register online here.
Texas deadline to register to vote
Deadline: Texas' voter registration deadline is Oct. 7 for in-person and mail-in registration. Oct. 7 is the postmark deadline.
- Texas does not offer online voter registration.
Click here to learn more.
Utah voter registration deadline
Deadline: The online voter registration deadline in Utah is Oct. 25, the same day when mail-in voter registrations must be received.
- Utah offers in-person same-day voter registration, but voters must present two forms of identification at the voting location to register.
Click here to register online.
Vermont last day to register to vote
Deadline: The cut-off to register to participate in the 2024 election in Vermont is Election Day (Nov. 5).
- "Eligible persons may register to vote on any day up to and including the day of the election," per the Secretary of State's office.
Click here to register online.
Virginia voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Virginia is Oct. 15 for online and mail-in registration. Mailed registration applications must be postmarked by Oct. 15.
Virginia also offers same-day in-person registration, allowing residents to register after the deadline and vote using a provisional ballot.
- A provisional ballot allows an individual whose eligibility to vote cannot be confirmed at the polling location on Election Day to vote.
- The ballot will be counted if the underlying eligibility question is resolved.
Click here to register to vote online.
Washington last day to register to vote
Deadline: Washington's voter registration deadline is Oct. 28. Mail-in voter registration applications must be received by that day.
- Washington also offers same-day in-person voter registration.
- Eligible voters have up until 8 p.m. on Election Day to register to vote in person at a voting center or county elections department.
Click here to register online.
West Virginia voter registration deadline
Deadline: The cut-off to register to vote in West Virginia online, in person or via mail (postmark deadline) is Oct. 15.
- Register to vote online here.
Wisconsin deadline to register to vote
Deadline: Wisconsin's deadline to register to vote via mail or online is Oct. 16 (postmark deadline for registration by mail).
- Voters in Wisconsin can also register to vote at their polling place on Election Day.
Click here to register to vote online.
Wyoming voter registration deadline
Deadline: The deadline to register to vote in Wyoming online or via mail is Oct. 21. Mailed applications must be received by the deadline.
- Wyoming offers same-day, in-person registration for voters who bring documents that prove their eligibility to register and vote.
- The state does not offer online voter registration.
Click here to learn more.
