With less than two weeks remaining until the 2024 general election, voter registration options are becoming limited. Depending on your location, you may still have a chance to register. Each state has its own voter registration policies, with some offering various methods to register. Deadlines for registration also vary, with some states requiring registration weeks before the election, while others allow registration up to Election Day. You can use an interactive map to find the deadline for your state and access its voter registration page for more information.
In 2022, a Pew Research analysis showed that although the number of eligible voters participating in US elections had increased in recent years, it still lagged behind other developed countries. In the 2020 US presidential election, only 62.8% of eligible voters participated, falling behind countries like France, Australia, India, South Korea, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, and Israel. Registering new voters has been a key objective for political organizers.
Election Day for 2024 is on Tuesday, Nov. 5. However, some states offer early voting options, allowing you to vote before Election Day. The process and timeframe for early voting varies by state, so it’s important to check the details for your specific location.
If you’re wondering how to register locally, each state that requires voter registration offers opportunities for in-person registration at designated locations. The specific location may vary, so contacting your state board of elections office or local city or town government office is the best way to get the information you need. The website USA.gov can help direct you to the appropriate office.
Registration methods typically include in-person, mail, or online options, depending on the state. Your state of residence will determine the registration deadline, after which you may not be able to vote in the upcoming general election. North Dakota is the only state that does not require voter registration, but you must present a valid ID to vote.
For US citizens living abroad, the registration deadline is the same as the state where they are eligible to vote. Embassies recommend completing the Federal Post Card Application well in advance due to potential delays in transit to the US.
As of October 26, registration deadlines have passed in Massachusetts and New York. Additional deadlines will pass in Colorado, Hawaii, and Washington by October 28, but these states allow in-person registration through Election Day. In total, deadlines have passed in 45 states and Washington, DC, including key battleground states.
Some states with passed deadlines may still offer certain registration options, including in-person voting up to Election Day. For more specific information about each state’s options and deadlines, refer to the complete list provided.