We've partnered with Non-Profit Vote to bring National Voter Registration Day to over 300 libraries across the country on September 25th. We're excited to help hundreds of thousands of Americans register to vote at their library on this historic day. But remember, you can register to vote throughout the year at the library. Just be sure to check your registration deadlines for each election!
Click here to find a participating library or other location near you!
The problem is that every year millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day wants to make sure everyone has the opportunity to vote. That's why, on Tuesday September 25, 2018, hundreds of libraries and hundreds of other organizations are participating in this single day of coordinated field, technology and media efforts to register hundreds of thousands of Americans to vote. National Voter Registration Day seeks to create broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.
Reasons To Register
- When you’ll turn 18 by Election day
- When you are a newly naturalized citizen
- When you move, even if it is just across town (most common reason for voter confusion)
- When you change your name
- When you haven’t voted in a while (in which case your registration may have been removed due to inactivity)
You can help us reach 500 more Americans to encourage them to register to vote at their library by making a $5 contribution today.
National Voter Registration Day is a national holiday celebrating our democracy. It was first observed in 2012 and has been growing in popularity every year since. Held on the fourth Tuesday of September, National Voter Registration Day will be observed on Tuesday, September 25th this year. The holiday has been endorsed by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). It is further supported by the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED).
If you're getting ready to vote for the first time, this short video can help. It goes over the basic requirements for voting in the U.S., and explains why it's important to know your state's specific rules for voting.
Voting Rules in the U.S. Are Different in Every State
Federal and state elections in the United States are run by the states themselves, according to Article I and Article II of the Constitution. No two states run their elections exactly the same, so contacting your state or local election office is the best way to find out about your state’s unique election rules.
The Basic Steps to Vote are the Same in Most States
Despite the differences in how states run elections, the basic steps to vote are the same almost everywhere.
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Every state except North Dakota requires you to register to vote.
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Every state has absentee voting.
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Most states assign you a specific polling place, or voting location. A few states have ballot drop sites instead.
These voting guides explain the basics of voting, no matter where you live:
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A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections (PDF, Download Adobe Reader)
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14 Facts About Voting in Federal Elections (PDF, Download Adobe Reader)
Register to Vote
If you need to register to vote, visit Vote.gov. Depending on your state’s voter registration rules, the site can help you
- Register online. This is available for 37 states plus the District of Columbia.
- Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form. You can fill it out onscreen and print the completed form, or print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.
- Find guidance for states and territories with different registration procedures.