How Can I Vote If I ' M Not Registered

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

Online voter registration has concluded in many states for the2020 election, which is today. And if you've decided to votein person (safely), yous won't be able to practise and then unless you're registered. Nonetheless, several states volition let you lot register to vote at your polling place. If y'all're not certain what your registration status is, it doesn't take long to notice out.

If you chose to vote by mail or absentee election, note that different states have unlike cutoffs and some may accept already passed. For example, in California, your mail service-in ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday evening. Here'southward how torails your ballot in every state.

In-person voting is also available, but you may need help finding your polling location during the ongoing pandemic. Expect actress rules for social distancing and mask-wearing at the very least. Here'due south what you need to know nearly registering to vote and what you need to bring if yous vote in person on Election Twenty-four hours. Call back, voter intimidation is illegal, and here'south what to do if yous spot information technology.

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How to check if y'all're registered to vote

To see if you're currently registered to vote, visit vote.org and click Check Your Registration. From here, you'll need to enter your personal data, similar your starting time and last name, current address, engagement of birth and an e-mail accost. Brand sure all your information is correct and select Cheque your registration. On the adjacent screen, yous'll either see confirmation that yous're registered or that you need to register to vote.

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

If you're going to the polls and y'all're not certain if you're registered, you can make it at your local polling place with your proof of address and ID and speak to polling officials. Yous may be instructed to complete a election, which would count if y'all are registered, and would non count if you aren't. We recommend checking electronically (see above) to make sure.

Tin can I register to vote on Election Day?

These states will still let you register to vote on Election 24-hour interval, but it must be in person. Note that you'll most probable need to bring proof of address and a form of ID.

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

How do I register to vote?

If you're not registered to vote and it's withal open for your state, visit vote.org and click Annals To Vote. From here, enter your personal details as mentioned above and click Keep. When you're finished filling out the form, you'll need to sign and date it, and then mitt-evangelize the course to the provided address. Notation that the borderline for registering to vote in many states has already passed.

vote-elections-2020-trump-pence-biden-harris-0656 — You may need to reregister to vote.
James Martin/CNET

If the borderline has passed for online voting in your state, but your land allows Election Twenty-four hour period registration, call ahead of time to brand sure you accept everything you need to register. Nigh states that allow you to register on Election Day let you register at the polls.

Mutual reasons for needing to reregister to vote

Fifty-fifty if y'all already registered to vote, hither are several reasons why yous may demand to reregister.

You recently moved to another location.
Yous've changed your name since the last fourth dimension yous voted.
You'd similar to change political parties.
You oasis't voted in the by four years.
You've never registered to vote at all, in which instance yous'd need to register for the first time.

Need more information about voting? Hither's what'southward going on with the USPS crisis and how information technology could affect the election and how to vote safely if you're voting in person.