Voting 101

Everything Starts with Registration

Before you can vote, you must be registered. Registration requirements vary by state, but the general requirements are consistent: you must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of the community where you are registering, and at least 18 years old by Election Day.[reference:4]

You can register online, by mail, or in person. Most states offer online registration through their Secretary of State’s website. You can also register at your local election office, at a Department of Motor Vehicles office, or at many public libraries and community centers. If you are in the military or living overseas, there are special procedures for you.[reference:5]

The deadline to register varies by state. Some states allow same-day registration on Election Day. Others require you to register weeks in advance. Check your state’s rules well before the election.

Primary, General, and Everything In Between

American elections are not a single event. They are a series of contests that unfold over months.

Primary elections determine which candidates will represent each party in the general election. Some states hold closed primaries, where only registered party members can vote. Others hold open primaries, where any registered voter can participate. A few states use caucuses instead of primaries — local meetings where party members discuss and choose delegates.[reference:6]

General elections are the main events. They are held in November of even-numbered years and determine who will hold office. Presidential elections are held every four years. Congressional elections are held every two years. Many state and local elections are also held in November, though some are held at different times.

Local elections are often held in the spring or in odd-numbered years. They receive far less attention than national elections, but they decide who runs your schools, your city, and your county. Turnout in local elections is often below 20%, which means your vote carries more weight.

Three Ways to Cast a Ballot

There are three main ways to vote in the United States:

1. In person on Election Day. Go to your assigned polling place, show identification if required, and cast your ballot. Polling places are usually open from early morning to evening.
2. Early in person. Many states offer early voting in the weeks before Election Day. You can vote at a designated early voting location, often with shorter lines and more flexible hours.
3. By mail. Absentee or mail-in voting allows you to receive a ballot at home, fill it out, and return it by mail or drop box. Some states require a reason to vote by mail; others allow any voter to request a mail-in ballot. Rules and deadlines vary significantly by state.[reference:7][reference:8]

No matter which method you choose, make a plan before Election Day. Know where you will vote, when you will vote, and what you need to bring. If you are voting by mail, request your ballot early and return it before the deadline.

The Power of Showing Up

It is easy to believe that your vote does not matter. The numbers are large, the issues are complex, and the outcomes often feel predetermined. But the evidence tells a different story.

In 2020, the presidential election was decided by fewer than 50,000 votes across three states. In 2016, it was decided by fewer than 80,000 votes across three states. Local elections are often decided by a handful of votes — sometimes by a single vote.

Your vote is not just a choice between candidates. It is a statement about what kind of community you want to live in. When you vote, you join with your neighbors to shape the future of your city, your state, and your country. When you do not vote, you leave that shaping to others.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NRSV)