How to Vote 101

In the past two years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we’ve witnessed unprecedented attacks on women’s health care. Abortion is now a fraught state-by-state access issue. In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is on the line. And now, access to birth control is in jeopardy.

But all is not lost. We have a voice in this system – namely, our vote. And if we come together and vote this fall? We could change everything.

Download the PDF of this Guide

Why should I vote?

It’s easy to feel disaffected or disheartened by politics and to believe that your single vote won’t make much of a difference. But it does. Voting helps…

Ensure that your values and the issues that matter the most to you are prioritized
Decide where your tax dollars should be spent (where government funding and resources should go)
Fight against racism and discrimination and honor those who fought for the right to vote
Turn numbers into power – and we have the numbers.

And if you think a single vote doesn’t matter, here are times when they’ve decided close races.

Wait – am I even eligible to vote?

You CAN vote if you:

Are a U.S. citizen
Meet your state’s residency requirements (note: you can be experiencing homelessness and still meet these requirements.)
Are 18 years old on or before Election Day (In some states, you can pre-register to vote before you turn 18 if you will be 18 by election day.)
Are registered to vote by your state’s voter registration deadline (North Dakota does not require voter registration.)

You CAN’T vote in U.S. elections if you:

Are not a U.S. citizen, including permanent legal residents.
Have a felony conviction in some states. Check with your state elections office.
Are a U.S. citizen residing in a U.S. territory (only for the general presidential election).

Learn more about these requirements at usa.gov/who-can-vote.

How do I check if I’m registered to vote?

Got 30 seconds? You can check if you’re registered to vote by filling out a quick form on vote.org.

What is my voter registration deadline?

To vote, you need to be registered – and not all states offer same-day registration. What’s more, deadlines vary by state – so it’s important to understand your specific situation.

Use Vote411’s interactive registration deadline tool and select your state to view your election dates & deadlines.

How do I register to vote?

Registering to vote takes less than 2 minutes. Simply fill out the voter registration form on vote.org.

How do I vote in-person on Election Day?

You can find your nearest polling place by using vote.org’s polling place locator tool.
Each state sets its own voter ID rules. Most require voters to bring identification to vote in person. Find out what type of ID is required to vote in your state here.

I won’t be in town on Election Day. What are my options?

Depending on your state, you might be eligible to submit an absentee ballot, vote by mail, or vote early.

Absentee voting: States that use absentee voting require the voter to request a ballot to be sent to them.
By-mail voting: States that use a vote-by-mail system automatically send ballots out via mail to all registered voters without the voter having to ask for it.

Visit Vote411 and select your state from the dropdown menu to see if your state offers absentee or vote by mail options.

Early in-person voting: Some states allow you to vote in person 15 to 30 days before election day.

Check vote.org to see if this is an option your state offers.

My voting situation is weird and unclear. Where can I get more information?

How to Vote If You’re…

Why should I pledge to vote?

Making a pledge is a psychological strategy that helps keep you focused and committed to goals you might otherwise be tempted to give up on and, with women’s health on the line, showing up to vote this year is more crucial than ever.

Pledge to be a voter

Why should I make a plan to vote?

The same reason we meal prep and schedule our weeks – it’s empowering and effective. Making a plan to vote greatly increases the chances you actually will, and can help reduce anxiety around the voting process (especially for first-time voters!).

Make a plan to vote and spread the word to others!
Know what your voter registration status is
Make a plan to vote by mail or in person
If you plan to vote in person, research where your local polling places are.
Research candidates to learn where they stand on issues that matter to you
Tell your loved ones about your plans to vote and encourage them to make their own plans too

How do I get my friends and loved ones to vote?

Every vote has the power to impact women’s health. Encourage your friends and loved ones to vote by:

Offering rides, or ordering a rideshare service, to get them to and from their local polling place
Helping them get registered to vote or confirm their voter registration status
Helping them request an absentee ballot or vote by mail
Hosting a Party at the Polls event:
Sign up to host a Party at the Polls event
Download the free how-to guide for hosts
Walk in a #walkthevote voting parade