On Tuesday, November 8, not only will the role of Leader of the Free World be at stake but also 34 seats in the United States Senate and all 435 House seats. With some states closing voter registration as early as October 8 (Mississippi and South Carolina), now is the time to register to vote in order to make your voice count if you haven’t already.
We’ve created a state-by-state guide with all the important dates and links you need to know in order to cast your vote. But first a few FAQs:
I’m 17 but will be 18 by the general election. Can I register to vote now?
You must be 18 years old to vote in the 2016 general election. Many states, however, do allow individuals who are 17 years old to register in advance of their eighteenth birthdays if they will be 18 by the election. Read below to find your state’s requirements.
I’m in college and won’t be home to vote in the general election. Can I still vote?
Yes. Check with your state’s voter registration board or election commission to find out your state’s specific requirements with regards to absentee ballots. Make sure you give yourself and your state’s election commission enough time to snail mail a ballot. Scroll down to find the link to your state’s absentee voting page.
I have more questions about the general election. Where do I go?
For more information about federal voter registration, requirements, and deadlines, visit [USA.gov] (https://www.usa.gov/voter-registration). Google also just launched a friendly "how to vote" tool that's as simple as using its user-friendly search bar.
STATE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES
Alabama — Monday, October 24
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Alabama
Absentee ballot information
Alaska — Sunday, October 9
To register, must be 18 or within 90 days of your 18th birthday.
Register to vote in AlaskaAbsentee ballot information
Arizona — Monday, October 10
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in ArizonaAbsentee ballot information
Arkansas — Monday, October 10
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Arkansas
Absentee ballot information
California — Monday, October 24
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in California
Absentee ballot information
Colorado — Monday, October 31 (online & mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Colorado
Absentee ballot information
Connecticut — Tuesday, November 1 (online & mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Connecticut
Absentee ballot information
Delaware — Saturday, October 15
To register, must be 18 before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Delaware
Absentee ballot information
District of Columbia — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
[Register to vote in Washington D.C.] (https://www.vote4dc.com/RegisterApply/VoterBasicInfo) [Absentee ballot information] (https://www.dcboee.org/pdf_files/DCBOEE_AbsenteeBallotRequestForm.pdf)
Florida — Tuesday, October 11
You can pre-register at age 16, but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in FloridaAbsentee ballot information
Georgia — Tuesday, October 11
You can register at age 17 1/2 but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in GeorgiaAbsentee ballot information
Hawaii — Monday, October 10
You can pre-register at age 16 but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in Hawaii
Absentee ballot information
Idaho — Friday, October 14
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in IdahoAbsentee ballot information
Illinois — Tuesday, October 11 (mail); Sunday, October 23 (online); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Illinois
Absentee ballot information
Indiana — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in IndianaAbsentee ballot information
Iowa — Monday, October 24 (mail); Saturday, October 29 (online & in person)
You can register six months before your 18th birthday but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in IowaAbsentee ballot information
Kansas — Tuesday, October 18
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in KansasAbsentee ballot information
Kentucky — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Kentucky
Absentee ballot information
Louisiana — Tuesday, October 11
You can register at age 17 but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in Louisiana
Absentee ballot information
Maine — Tuesday, October 18 (mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Maine
Absentee ballot information
Maryland — Tuesday, October 18 (online & mail); Thursday, November 3 (in person)
You can register at age 16, but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in Maryland
Absentee ballot information
Massachusetts — Wednesday, October 19
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in MassachusettsAbsentee ballot information
Michigan — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
[Register to vote in Michigan] (https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633_8716_8726_47669---,00.html) [Absentee ballot information] (http://www.mi.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_8716_8728-21037--,00.html)
Minnesota — Tuesday, October 18
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in Minnesota
Absentee ballot information
Mississippi — Saturday, October 8
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in MississippiAbsentee ballot information
Missouri — Wednesday, October 12
You can register at age 17 1/2, but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in MissouriAbsentee ballot information
Montana — Tuesday, October 11 (mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
[Register to vote in Montana] (http://sos.mt.gov/ELECTIONS/Vote/index.asp) [Absentee ballot information] (http://sos.mt.gov/ELECTIONS/Absentee/index.asp)
Nebraska — Friday, October 21 (online & mail); Friday, October 28 (in person)
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in NebraskaAbsentee ballot information
Nevada — Saturday, October 8 (mail); Tuesday, October 18 (online & in person)
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in NevadaAbsentee ballot information
New Hampshire — Saturday, October 29 (mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in New HampshireAbsentee ballot information
New Jersey — Tuesday, October 18
You can register at age 17 but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in New Jersey
Absentee ballot information
New Mexico — Tuesday, October 11
You can pre-register at age 17, but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in New MexicoAbsentee ballot information
New York — Friday, October 14
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in New YorkAbsentee ballot information
North Carolina — Friday, October 14
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in North CarolinaAbsentee ballot information
North Dakota
Must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
There is no voter registration in North Dakota, but you must meet the state’s voting requirements. Learn more here.
Ohio — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in OhioAbsentee ballot information
Oklahoma — Friday, October 14
Must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016. If you turn 18 in the 60 days before the election, you must register between 25 and 60 days before the election.
Register to vote in OklahomaAbsentee ballot information
Oregon — Tuesday, October 18
Must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in OregonAbsentee ballot information
Pennsylvania — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in PennsylvaniaAbsentee ballot information
Rhode Island — Sunday, October 9
You can pre-register at age 16 but must be 18 to vote.
Register to vote in Rhode IslandAbsentee ballot information
South Carolina — Saturday, October 8
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in South Carolina
Absentee ballot information
South Dakota — Monday, October 24
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in South DakotaAbsentee ballot information
Tennessee — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
[Register to vote in Tennessee] (http://sos.tn.gov/node/5996) [Absentee ballot information] (http://sos.tn.gov/products/elections/how-do-i-request-absentee-ballot)
Texas — Tuesday, October 11
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in TexasAbsentee ballot information
Utah — Sunday, October 9 (mail); Tuesday, November 1 (online & in person)
You can pre-register at age 16 but must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016 to vote.
Register to vote in Utah
Absentee ballot information
Vermont — Wednesday, November 2
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in VermontAbsentee ballot information
Virginia — Monday, October 17
You can register at age 17 if you will be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in VirginiaAbsentee ballot information
Washington — Monday, October 10 (online); Monday, October 31 (in person)
To register, must be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in WashingtonAbsentee ballot information
West Virginia — Tuesday, October 18
You can register at age 17 if you will be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in West VirginiaAbsentee ballot information
Wisconsin — Wednesday, October 19 (mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
You can register at age 17 if you will be 18 by Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in WisconsinAbsentee ballot information
Wyoming — Tuesday, October 25 (mail); Tuesday, November 8 (in person)
To register, must be 18 on or before Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Register to vote in WyomingAbsentee ballot information
Voting from Abroad
Register to vote from abroad
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