Election Day is November 5 and the deadline to register to vote is coming up in many states across the U.S. The vast majority of states let you register online, but voting rules in this country vary by location in a way that can sometimes be confusing.
That’s why it’s so important to check that you’re registered, especially as some Republican-run states like Georgia have made it easier for anyone to cancel someone else’s registration.
Registering to vote is pretty easy and painless, especially in states that allow eligible voters to do it online. Unfortunately, Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Texas do not allow people to register through the web. Voters in those seven states are required to register either by mail or in person.
If you opt to register by mail, it’s more important than ever to get that done early. The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors recently raised concerns that the U.S. Postal Service wasn’t prepared for the massive influx of mail that will come with mail-in ballots across the country. And while USPS insists it’s ready, it’s better to be safe and get your registration in as soon as possible.
There are also many different quirks that vary by state that everyone should pay attention to when sending documents via traditional mail. Most states give deadlines for registering that include a postmark deadline, but Maine voters need to make sure their registration paperwork is received by voting officials by October 15. Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, New York, and the District of Columbia also have requirements about when your paperwork should be received, not when it’s postmarked.
Below we’ve got all the registration deadlines for each state, along with links to Vote.org where it’s incredibly easy to find information for your state. Federal officials will always try to point voters to Vote.org, which is considered the most reliable source of information for voting rules and deadlines. It’s a one-stop shop for all the information you need, with links for registering.
But Vote.org does phrase things in a less-than-ideal way. For example, it lists the deadlines for registering to vote by the number of days before Election Day in a given state, rather than just giving the date. We’ve included the dates below so that it’s a little more clear.
Check to see if you’re registered today. Democracy is literally on the ballot in November. Because if Donald Trump is allowed to take power again, things are going to get very bad very quickly. Make sure you’re registered and remind your friends to check their own registration. Election Day is much closer than you think.
Alabama
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct 21. by 11:59 p.m. CT
- In Person: Oct. 21 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked Oct. 21
More information about voting in Alabama, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Alaska
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 6
- In Person at voting location: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Oct. 6
More information about voting in Alaska, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Arizona
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7 by 11:50 p.m. MT
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct 7 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Arizona, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Arkansas
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not allowed
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Arkansas, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
California
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 21 by 11:59 p.m. PT
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct.7 – Nov. 4
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 21
More information about voting in California, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Colorado
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Nov. 5
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 21-Nov. 5
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Nov. 5
More information about voting in Colorado, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Connecticut
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 18 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 21-Nov. 3
- In Person at Designated Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 18
More information about voting in Connecticut, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Delaware
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 12 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 12
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 12
More information about voting in Delaware, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Florida
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Florida, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Georgia
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7 close of business
- By Mail: Oct. 7
More information about voting in Georgia, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Hawaii
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Nov. 5
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 22-Nov. 4
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 28
More information about voting in Hawaii, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Idaho
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 11
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 21-Nov. 1
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11
More information about voting in Idaho, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Illinois
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 20 by 11:59 p.m. CT
- In Person During Early Voting: Sept. 26-Nov. 4
- In Person at Designated Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 8
More information about voting in Illinois, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Indiana
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Indiana, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Iowa
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 21 by 11:59 p.m. CT
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 16-Nov. 5
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 21
More information about voting in Iowa, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Kansas
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 15
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 15
More information about voting in Kansas, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Kentucky
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7 by 4 p.m. ET
- In Person at the Local Election Office: Oct. 7 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Kentucky, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Louisiana
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Louisiana, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Maine
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person at Local Election Office on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 15 close of business
More information about voting in Maine, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Maryland
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 11:50 p.m. ET
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 24-31
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 15 by 5 p.m. ET
More information about voting in Maryland, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Massachusetts
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 26 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 26 by 5 p.m. ET
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 26
More information about voting in Massachusetts, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Michigan
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 21
- In Person at Local Election Office on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked Oct. 21
More information about voting in Michigan, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Minnesota
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 11:59 p.m. CT
- In Person During Early Voting: Sept. 20-Nov. 4
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5 close of polls
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 15 by 5 p.m. CT
More information about voting in Minnesota, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Mississippi
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not allowed
- In Person at the Local Election Office: Oct. 7 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Mississippi, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Missouri
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 9
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 9
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 9
More information about voting in Missouri, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Montana
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not allowed
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 7-Nov. 4
- In Person at Local Election Office on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Montana, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Nebraska
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 18 by 11:59 p.m. CT
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 25 by 6 p.m. CT
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 18
More information about voting in Nebraska, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Nevada
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Nov. 5
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 19-Nov. 1
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 8
More information about voting in Nevada, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
New Hampshire
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not allowed
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- In Person at Local Election Office in Advance: Varies by town
- By Mail: Must be received between 6 and 13 days before Election Day, depending on town.
More information about voting in New Hampshire, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
New Jersey
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 15
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 15
More information about voting in New Jersey, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
New Mexico
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 8
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 8-Nov. 2
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 8
More information about voting in New Mexico, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
New York
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 26
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 26
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 26
More information about voting in New York, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
North Carolina
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 11
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 17-Nov. 2
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11
More information about voting in North Carolina, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
North Dakota
North Dakota is the only state in the country that does not require anyone to register to vote, but a valid ID is required to cast your ballot.
More information about voting in North Dakota is available at Vote.org.
Ohio
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7 by 9 p.m. ET
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Ohio, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Oklahoma
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 11
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 11
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 11
More information about voting in Oklahoma, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Oregon
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 11:59 p.m. PT
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 15 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 15
More information about voting in Oregon, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Pennsylvania
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 21
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 21
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 21
More information about voting in Pennsylvania, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Rhode Island
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 6
- In Person at Local Election Office on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 6
More information about voting in Rhode Island, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
South Carolina
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 6 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 4 by 5 p.m. ET
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in South Carolina, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
South Dakota
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not allowed
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 21 by 5 p.m. CT
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 21 by 5 p.m. CT
More information about voting in South Dakota, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Tennessee
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 7
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Tennessee, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Texas
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not allowed
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 7
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 7
More information about voting in Texas, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Utah
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 25 by 5 p.m. MT
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 22-Nov. 1
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 25 by 5 p.m. MT
More information about voting in Utah, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Vermont
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Nov. 5
- In Person During Early Voting: Sept. 21-Nov. 4
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Received by Nov. 5
More information about voting in Vermont, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Virginia
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person During Early Voting: Sept. 20-Nov. 2
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 15
More information about voting in Montana, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Washington
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 28 by 11:59 p.m. PT
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 18-Nov. 5
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 28 close of business
More information about voting in Washington, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Washington D.C.
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 4:45 p.m. ET
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 28-Nov. 3
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 15 by 4:45 p.m. ET
More information about voting in Washington D.C., including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
West Virginia
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 15 by 11:59 p.m. ET
- In Person at Local Election Office: Oct. 15 close of business
- By Mail: Postmarked Oct. 15
More information about voting in West Virginia, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Wisconsin
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Oct. 16 by 11:59 p.m. CT
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Postmarked by Oct. 16
More information about voting in Wisconsin, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
Wyoming
Voter registration deadlines:
- Online: Not Allowed
- In Person During Early Voting: Oct. 8-Nov. 4
- In Person at Voting Location on Election Day: Nov. 5
- By Mail: Received by Oct. 21
More information about voting in Wyoming, including registering to vote and checking your registration, is at Vote.org.
