How to Register to Vote Online and Check Your Registration Status

Voter registration is the first step toward voting in any US election. In most states, you must be registered before you can vote — and that registration must reflect your current address. If you have moved since you last registered, or if you have never registered before, you will need to update or create your registration before the next election's registration deadline.

Most states now offer online voter registration through their official state government websites. The process takes about five to ten minutes and requires basic personal information: your legal name, date of birth, current home address, and either a state-issued driver's license number or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Some states also require proof of citizenship.

After you register, it is good practice to check your registration status before each election to confirm that it is still active and that your address is current. Life changes — moving, marriage (name change), or even administrative errors — can sometimes affect your registration without your knowledge.

The official starting point for all voter registration information is vote.gov, which is maintained by the US General Services Administration. Each state has its own rules about registration deadlines, eligibility requirements, and ID requirements. Vote.gov links directly to each state's official election website.

Voter registration is free. You should never have to pay to register to vote. If any website charges a fee for voter registration, leave the site and go directly to vote.gov instead.