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Before you head off to your local polling place on election day, you're going to need to know How to Register to Vote. This page will explain how to make your vote count!
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Registration Tips
- Check up on your state's registration requirements.
- Although paperwork is available online, you'll still have to mail in printed copies of forms.
- Register whenever you change residences, especially if it's in a new state!
- You can register to vote while applying for a new driver's license at the DMV.
- Many states will require you to declare an official political party when you register.
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Register to Vote Online
This video discusses online voter's registration, and why most states do not allow it because you need to provide an original signature. The video does walk you through a partial online process, however. You are able to download the proper forms online, print them up, fill them out and then mail them to the appropriate address in your state.
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Introduction
- Registering to vote is a painless process. You can register in a number of ways, including online or by mail. This page will tell you how you can get it out of the way so you'll be fully prepared on election day.
Why Register?
- Registering is important because:
- They will have a record of who you are when you go to the polling place, and
- You will be mailed (or be able to find online) all of the pertinent details and information regarding any upcoming elections.
- The main reason to register? You can't vote at all if you don't do it! Once registered, you will be kept up to date any time an election is approaching with the following information:
- The date and time of the election.Kentucky Secretary of State: Adair County Sample Ballot for 2008 General Election
- The address of the voting location nearest to you.Kentucky Secretary of State: Adair County Sample Ballot for 2008 General Election
- The candidates' names, parties, and, in some cases, general stances on certain issues.BrocktonGOTV: Brockton County Sample Ballot
- A description of any voter initiatives.BrocktonGOTV: Brockton County Sample Ballot
- A sample ballot, complete with instructions on how the voting process will work.
- - You can use the sample ballot to practice casting your vote so that you know exactly what to expect come election day.BrocktonGOTV: Get Help Reading the Ballot
- - In some cases, the sample ballot can be brought into the voting booth to save time.Declare Yourself: Voting FAQ - What should I bring with me to the polling place?
First Things First
- Before you register, you should establish two things:
- That you are eligible to vote.
- - You must be a United States citizen.
- - You must be at least 18 years old on election day.Rock the Vote: Frequently Asked Questions: Do I need to be 18 in order to register to vote?
- - Each state has slightly different laws regarding convicted felons' eligibility requirements.Rock the Vote: Voting as a Felon
- Your political party.
- - The Republican and Democratic parties are the most popular in America.Politics1: Guide to American Political Parties
- - Other parties include:
- Libertarian Party: Official Site
- Green Party: Official Site
- Constitution Party: Official Site
- - There are also many alternative party options, also known as third parties.Politics1: Guide to American Political Parties This Nation: What is the history of "third parties" in the United States?
- - Take the political compass test if you're unsure of where you stand in the political spectrum.The Political Compass: Homepage
- For a general guide on how to decide which party you want to sign up with, refer to Mahalo's page on How to Choose a Political Party.
- NOTE: Many states require you to choose a party in order to vote in their primary elections.Youth Vote Overseas: Do I need to identify my party affiliation to vote in the Primaries? But in some states (such as California), registered independents can choose which party's primary they would like to vote in.Easy Voter Guide: Political parties - What is a political party?
How to Register
- If you've researched the requirements and you fit the bill, it's time to get registered. Make sure to get everything sent in before your state's particular registration deadline, though!Rock the Vote: Voter Registration Deadlines
- By far the easiest way to register is to do it online. Just go to Rock the Vote to do so. (You will need to print and mail a form.)
- JustVote.org allows you to download a PDF file of the voter registration paperwork for free.JustVote.org: Homepage Simply click on your state, print the document, fill it out, and mail it in.
- Vote411.org is an excellent resource for finding voting information for your state, including how to register.Vote411.org: Election Information You Need
- You can usually register to vote at the DMV while applying for a new driver's license.DMV.org: Register to Vote
- You can always visit your local municipal building (such as City Hall) to find out all the information you need, but this seems like the less desirable option when technology allows you to do it all from home.
- If you will be away from home on election day (if you are in the military or are a U.S. citizen living overseas, for example), you can register for an absentee ballot.Overseas Vote Foundation: Homepage
- NOTE: If you move to a new state, you must register to vote in your new location, regardless of whether or not you've already registered in another state.Declare Yourself: Voting FAQ
Conclusion
- Don't forget that officially signing yourself up to vote is only the first step. Even if you're sure you want to vote, but don't quite know how to make up your mind on who to vote for, make sure to read through Mahalo's guide on How to Vote.
- But no matter who you decide to vote for, remember that you've got to get out on election day (or at least mail in your ballot in time) to make sure your candidate gets the support he or she needs!
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