How to Register to Vote
“I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member.”
— Groucho Marx
Before You Can Vote
Although we have national elections in which we choose the President and Vice-President, our voting infrastructure is administered at the State level. That actually makes sense, since most public offices are chosen within a State, whether it be Members of Congress, Governors, or State and Local Representatives.
But that means that there are fifty different sets of instructions for voters. Actually, there are more than fifty, since citizens in American Territories—American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C.—can also vote. The good news is that the various rules are similar—and really fundamentally the same—throughout the country. Also, you only have to register to vote once, as long as you continue to vote in most elections. Some States and Territories will remove voters from registration rolls if they do not participate in any elections over a prolonged period, but those voters can also register again if that happens. Voters should also update their registration if they move.
Did You Know…?
As of January 2026, how many U.S. States do not require voters to register in order to vote in an election?
A) None
B) 1
C) 9
D) 13
You can find the correct answer at the bottom of this page.
Register to Vote
The first step in being able to cast your ballot in an election is to register to vote, something most States and Territories allow voters to do online. Fortunately, there is a website dedicated to making it easy for you to do this, or to check your registration if you’re not sure about it. Simply go to Vote.gov, then select your State or Territory to begin. Or you can even skip a step and click on the appropriate link below. Some States and Territories require that voters register a certain number of days prior to an election. You can find that information on the Vote.gov site. Make sure to register enough before an election so that you can vote in it.
Voter Registration Links
for U.S. States and Territories
Answer to the Did You Know…? Question
The answer is B) 1.
As of January 2026, only North Dakota does not require voters to register in order to vote in an election.