CAN I VOTE? A simple guide for registering to vote Mini zine by Anna Jo Beck
In the U.S.A. we have a democracy, in which the citizens of the country have the right and responsibility of electing some political figures. While it may seem intuitive to show up to the polls on voting day to cast your ballot, in most states, you must register before election day in order to vote.
To be eligible to vote, you must: Be a U.S. citizen1 Meet your state’s requirements2 Be at least 18 years old3 If you want to check if you’re already registered to vote, you can check at canivote.org or contactin your local election office.
Some US Citizens aren’t allowed to vote in certain elections: residents of US territories aren’t allowed to vote for president (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands). Additionally, depending on your state’s constitution, prisoners and ex-offenders may also be prohibited from voting. Also, in many states, a court can deem someone ‘Mentally Incompetent’ and bar them voting - people who have been determined unable to manage their own affairs or make specific life decisions due to mental illness. 1
States also have their own residency and identification requirements to vote. For additional information about statespecific requirements and voter eligibility, contact your state election office: www.usa.gov/election-office 2
Some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries or register to vote if they will be 18 before the general election. 3
If you meet those requirements, let’s move on to getting you registered to vote. It’s easy and urgent because there is a deadline to register in advance of elections. Generally it’s 2-6 weeks before the election date, but varies state by state, as well as by method of registration. Open up this zine for the deadlines! There are 3 easy ways to register to vote: Online1
By Mail2
In Person3
As of December 6, 2017 a total of 37 states plus the District of Columbia offer online registration. Easily see if your state offers online registration at vote.gov 1
Using the National Mail Voter Registration Form (note that New Hampshire accepts it only as a request for an absentee voter mailin registration form) 2
Places to register in person: The department of motor vehicles; State or local voter registration and/or election offices; Public assistance agencies; Armed services recruitment centers; Statefunded programs that serve people with disabilities; Any public facility that a state has designated as a voter registration agency 3
If you have further questions about registering to vote, www. headcount.org/voting-faq. Also, be aware that voting is a right, and something we may have to continue to defend, unfortunately. More info at www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights.
Finally, make a plan for election day: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Visit canivote.org to find where your polling location is and any IDs required day of. If you can’t visit a polling station on election day, look into absentee and early voting, also at canivote.org. And of course, familiarize yourself with your current representation and candidates! And where are my tips for doing that? They’re in my latest zine: Biff Boff Bam Sock #9: Know Your Vote A workbook to get to know your elected officials more info: www.annajobeck.com/voting
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH
REGISTER TO VOTE FOR MIDTERM ELECTION 2018 All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate will be contested. 39 state and territorial governorships and numerous other state and local elections will also be contested. Let your voice be heard!
Registration Deadlines
Same Day Registration
Mail-In
Online
In-Person
AL
10/22 (postmarked)
10/22/2018
10/22/2018
No
AK
10/7 (postmarked)
10/7/2018
10/7/2018
No
AZ
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
AR
10/9 (postmarked)
N/A
10/9/2018
No
CA
10/22 (postmarked)
10/22/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
CO
10/29 (to automatically receive a mail ballot)
10/29/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
CT
10/30 (postmarked)
10/30/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
DE
10/13 (postmarked)
10/13/2018
10/13/2018
No
DC
10/16 (received)
10/16/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
FL
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
GA
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
HI
10/9/2018
10/8/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
ID
10/12 (postmarked)
10/12/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
IL
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
IN
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
IA
10/27 (received)
10/27/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
KS
10/16 (postmarked)
10/16/2018
10/16/2018
No
KY
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
LA
11/7 (received)
11/17/2018
11/7/2018
No
ME
10/16 (received)
N/A
11/6/2018
Yes
MD
10/16 (postmarked)
10/16/2018
11/1/2018
Yes*
MA
10/17 (postmarked)
10/17/2018
10/17/2018
No
MI
10/9 (postmarked)
N/A
10/9/2018
No
MN
10/16 (received)
10/16/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
MS
10/9 (postmarked)
N/A
10/8/2018
No
MO
10/10 (postmarked)
10/10/2018
10/10/2018
No
MT
10/9 (postmarked)
N/A
11/6/2018
Yes
NE
10/19 (postmarked)
10/19/2018
10/26/2018
No
NV
10/9 (postmarked)
10/18/2018
10/16/2018
No
NH
N/A
N/A
11/6/2018
Yes
NJ
10/16 (received)
N/A
10/16/2018
No
NM
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
NY
10/12 (postmarked)
10/12/2018
10/12/2018
No
NC
10/12 (postmarked)
N/A
11/3/2018
Yes*
ND
N/A
N/A
N/A
No
OH
10/9 (received)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
OK
10/12 (postmarked)
10/12/2018
10/12/2018
No
OR
10/16 (received)
10/16/2018
10/16/2018
No
PA
10/9 (received)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
RI
10/7 (received)
10/7/2018
10/7/2018
No
SC
10/8 (postmarked)
10/7/2018
10/5/2018
No
SD
10/22 (received)
N/A
10/22/2018
No
TN
10/9 (postmarked)
10/9/2018
10/9/2018
No
TX
10/9 (postmarked)
N/A
10/9/2018
No
UT
10/9 (postmarked)
10/30/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
VT
10/31 (received)
10/31/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
VA
10/15 (postmarked)
10/15/2018
10/15/2018
No
WA
10/8 (postmarked)
10/8/2018
10/29/2018
No
WV
10/16 (postmarked)
10/16/2018
10/16/2018
No
WI
10/17 (postmarked)
10/17/2018
11/6/2018
Yes
WY
10/22 (received)
N/A
11/6/2018
Yes
*during early voting period