I am a huge believer that voting is our civic duty. If you agree and/or if you want to be apart of the decision-making process, the first step is to register to vote. Here are the resources you need to register to vote.
Check your registration status
First things first, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 18 states currently have automatic voter registration. Automatic Voter Registration is where you are automatically registered to vote if you interact with the DMV (but you can opt-out if you want). This means that you may be registered already, even if you don’t remember registering.
If you are unsure whether or not you are registered to vote, it is very simple to check. The whole process takes less than a minute.
Go to Vote.org
This is their homepage. Click check your registration.
You will be taken to this form. It is all basic information that you would know off the top of your head (you don’t need your ID number).
Submit it, and it will instantly tell you if you are registered or not. If you are, you will see this:
If you are not registered to vote, then read on!
How to register to vote
Learn about your state’s requirements
Each state has different voter registration rules. Check your state’s rules here.
Register
You can either register online, by mail, or in person.
Online or by mail
For most people, online would be the easiest way, but not all states offer online registration. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 39 states currently offer online registration.
Luckily, whether you register online or by mail, you can go to the same place: Vote.gov.
You will see this home screen. Select your state or territory.
If you are eligible to vote online…
You will see a screen like this:
Click the link and fill out the application. It is pretty self-explanatory.
If you are not able to vote online…
You will see a screen that looks like this:
Click to download the form. What you are downloading is a packet with instructions and the form. The whole packet is 26 pages, but don’t get too overwhelmed; the actual form is only 1/2 a page. Read the general instructions, then read your state-specific instructions (they are all at the end of the packet).
Here is a screenshot of the part about verifying your identity. Pay attention to this!
Then fill out the application and mail it to the location listed under your state.
Some states (yes, I’m talking about you, Wyoming) do not offer registration by mail either. In this case, you will have to register in-person.
In-person
If you want (or have) to register in person, go to your state or local election office. Some DMVs also allow you to register there, but this varies, so check with your DMV.
Now you are all set to register!
For more voting info, read more about the easiest way to vote with a chronic illness.