Can I Register To Vote If I Havent Changed

This story is part of Elections 2020, CNET's coverage of the voting in November and its aftermath.

Online voter registration has ended in many states for the2020 ballot, which is today. And if you lot've decided to votein person (safely), you lot won't exist able to practice so unless y'all're registered. However, several states will let yous annals to vote at your polling place. If you're not certain what your registration status is, it doesn't take long to find out.

If yous chose to vote by post or absentee election, note that different states have dissimilar cutoffs and some may have already passed. For example, in California, your mail-in ballot must exist postmarked by Tuesday evening. Here's how torail your election in every state.

In-person voting is likewise bachelor, but you may need help finding your polling location during the ongoing pandemic. Expect extra rules for social distancing and mask-wearing at the very least. Here'due south what you lot need to know about registering to vote and what you demand to bring if y'all vote in person on Ballot 24-hour interval. Remember, voter intimidation is illegal, and hither's what to do if y'all spot information technology.

At present playing: Sentinel this: What political campaigns know about you

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How to check if you're registered to vote

To run across if you're currently registered to vote, visit vote.org and click Check Your Registration. From hither, you'll need to enter your personal information, similar your first and final name, current address, date of birth and an e-mail address. Make certain all your data is correct and select Cheque your registration. On the next screen, you'll either see confirmation that you're registered or that you need to register to vote.

If yous're not sure you're registered to vote

If you're going to the polls and you lot're non sure if you're registered, you tin can arrive at your local polling place with your proof of accost and ID and speak to polling officials. You may be instructed to complete a ballot, which would count if you are registered, and would non count if y'all aren't. We recommend checking electronically (come across to a higher place) to make sure.

Tin I annals to vote on Ballot Solar day?

These states will still let you lot annals to vote on Election Mean solar day, only information technology must exist in person. Note that you'll virtually likely need to bring proof of address and a course of ID.

California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Iowa
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
North Dakota doesn't require voter registration
Rhode Island
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin

How do I register to vote?

If you're non registered to vote and it's still open for your state, visit vote.org and click Register To Vote. From hither, enter your personal details every bit mentioned to a higher place and click Continue. When yous're finished filling out the course, yous'll need to sign and date it, then manus-deliver the course to the provided accost. Notation that the deadline for registering to vote in many states has already passed.

vote-elections-2020-trump-pence-biden-harris-0656 — Y'all may demand to reregister to vote.
James Martin/CNET

If the deadline has passed for online voting in your state, but your state allows Election Day registration, phone call ahead of time to make sure y'all have everything you lot need to annals. Most states that permit you to register on Election Solar day allow you register at the polls.

Common reasons for needing to reregister to vote

Even if yous already registered to vote, here are several reasons why you may need to reregister.

You recently moved to another location.
Y'all've changed your name since the last time you lot voted.
You lot'd like to alter political parties.
Yous oasis't voted in the by iv years.
You've never registered to vote at all, in which case you'd demand to annals for the outset time.

Need more data about voting? Hither's what'south going on with the USPS crunch and how it could affect the election and how to vote safely if you're voting in person.