A Comprehensive Guide to Everything from Registration to Mail-In Ballots

Elections are complicated in the best of times. Like everything else, 2020 is making them more challenging to navigate. Luckily, we’ve got your back whether you’re a first-time voter, changing your registration, or just trying to figure out how COVID-19 will affect election day for all of us.

Not sure if you’re already registered to vote? Check your status by selecting your state here.

How to Register

If you’re a first time voter, visit vote.gov. While 40 states plus the District of Columbia let you register online, these states require a mailed-in registration form:

Arkansas
Maine
Mississippi
Montana
New Hampshire
New Jersey
North Dakota
South Dakota
Texas
Wyoming

Find your state’s online registration system here.

If you live in Arkansas, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, or Wyoming or don’t have access to a computer, you can download the National Mail Voter Registration Form in 15 languages here. Mail in your application to the address listed under your State in the State Instructions. Or, deliver the application in person to your local voter registration office.

What You Need to Register

Full name, address, and contact information
A current and valid photo identification, such a driver’s license or passport that shows your ID number from a driver’s license, passport, passport card, or social security card
or
A current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address.

Even with all this documentation on file, your state may have additional identificationrequirements once you get to the polls, especially if you’re a first time voter or live in an area with strict voter fraud laws.

In some states, you have to register with a party in order to vote in primary elections because there are different ballots for Democratic candidates vs. Republicans. If you don’t want to register with a party, leave the box blank on the registration form.

If you do not register with a party, you can still vote in general elections and nonpartisan primary elections, but not primary elections. If you register with no party but change your mind, you can always change your party affiliation later.

What is a Sample Ballot? And Where Do You Find Yours?

The candidates and issues you’re voting on aren’t a secret! That’s where a sample ballot comes in. Even in a presidential election, there are more issues on the ballot then you might expect and it's always good to be prepared. Get ready for state and local amendments by looking up a sample ballot (ballotpedia.org) to get a preview of exactly what your ballot will look like on election day.

Most candidates have websites or Facebook profiles, and local publications will often profile them as well. Vote411.org and usa.gov/voter-research are great resources for getting information on all kinds of candidates and issues.

Doing 15 minutes of research on elections you’re not familiar with can make a huge difference. Maybe there’s a tight race for School Board seats or an amendment to increase minimum wage. While these issues aren’t as exciting as voting for the president, they’ll still have a big impact on your community. Being involved in local elections is a tangible way to make your civic voice heard on a level you can more easily access as a young person.

How Do You Get Your Absentee Ballot (if You Need One)?

An absentee ballot is exactly the same as a ballot you would receive at a polling station on the day of an election. Instead of filling it out at a designated school or gym, you fill out yours at home and mail it to your local election office.

Absentee ballots are important if you’ve moved temporarily or are attending college in a different state—or if you experience accessibility or health challenges that restrict you from physically going to your polling place. This year, most states are allowing COVID-19 as a valid reason to vote by absentee ballot, so prepare to receive and send your ballot in early!

You can request a mail-in ballot with an application on your state’s voting website, which you can find by filling out a form at vote.org here. Then fill out the application and submit the request to your local election office. Do this far in advance and check your state’s mail-in ballot deadlines.

Vote.org has a great list of absentee ballot deadlines by state. Just remember: Absentee ballot applications must be received by the deadline, not just postmarked by the deadline.

You can mail your ballot in or drop it off at your local election office, which is more secure and guarantees your ballot makes it in on time.

Voting in Person

If you want to get that “I Voted” sticker in person, check your local polling place and their COVID-19 guidelines. Many cities and states have changed their polling locations as a result of the pandemic, so you might have to travel farther than normal to cast your ballot. You can check your polling place here.

Bring a valid photo ID and/or an official document with your name and address in case you need them. We recommend voting early or mid-day if you can to avoid the afterwork crowds. Make sure to wear a mask and give yourself plenty of time to wait in line. The polls officially close at 8pm, but as long as you’re in line by then, you can still cast your vote!

Important Dates for the 2020 Presidential Election

November 2nd — Mail-in ballots are due (either postmarked or delivered by, depending on your state), by November 2nd in AL, IA, LA, MS, NY, ND, OH, or UT

November 3rd — Mail-in ballots are due in AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.

November 3rd — In person voting in all states.