With the U.S. facing numerous challenges and deep political divisions, 2024 feels like an especially crucial election year to many Americans. According to a Gallup poll conducted in August, 69% of adults said they are more enthusiastic about voting than usual. But in order to have their voices heard on Election Day — which falls on November 5, 2024 — voters must be sure to register to vote and get to the polls or mail in a ballot.
“The best way to ensure that you are able to vote on Election Day or to get your ballot mailed in on time is to make a voting plan ahead of time,” says Erin Vilardi, founder of Vote Run Lead, an organization that trains women to run for public office.
Here’s what you need to know to prepare for the general election.
How to register to vote
If you haven’t already registered to vote, or if you’re not sure whether you’re registered, you can head over to TurboVote to do so. If you’d like to opt into text and email reminders about registration deadlines, upcoming elections and where to vote, you can do that at TurboVote as well. Vilardi notes, “They have a great response time to questions, too.”
It’s possible to register to vote online, as long as you live in one of 42 states plus the District of Columbia. Find voting instructions for your state in the table below.
“Even if you think you are registered, always double-check your status. You want to make sure you address any issues before Election Day.”
—Dr. Ximena Hartsock, cofounder of Phone2Action
You can also download a National Mail Voter Registration Form, which can be filled out onscreen and then printed, or printed and filled out by hand, and then mailed into the correct location listed for your state. Here, you’ll also be able to view state-specific instructions and select the language you’d like the form to appear in.
It’s also worth taking a moment or two to visit the National Association of Secretaries of State’s “Can I Vote” page to make sure you’re registered. “Even if you think you are registered, always double-check your status,” says Dr. Ximena Hartsock, cofounder of D.C.-based Phone2Action, a platform for digital advocacy and public affairs technology. “You want to make sure you address any issues before Election Day.”
A note for first-time voting teens
Some states allow preregistration for teens who are 16, others once they turn 17 and there are also states that have no age requirement but specify that a teen can preregister as long as they will be of voting age by the time of the next general election. Check the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for your state’s rules.
Voter registration deadlines by state
Find your state in the table below and follow the corresponding link that will lead you to directions on voting in your state.
Note: Several states allow same-day registration on Election Day. In the table below, those states are marked with a asterisk.
| State | General Election Registration Deadline |
| Alabama | October 21, 2024 |
| Alaska | October 4, 2024 |
| Arizona | October 7, 2024 |
| Arkansas | October 7, 2024 |
| California* | October 21, 2024 |
| Colorado* | October 28, 2024 |
| Connecticut* | October 18, 2024 |
| Delaware | October 12, 2024 |
| Florida | October 7, 2024 |
| Georgia | October 7, 2024 |
| Hawaii* | November 5, 2024 (Must be postmarked by October 28.) |
| Idaho* | October 11, 2024 |
| Illinois* | October 20, 2024 (Must be postmarked by October 8.) |
| Indiana | October 7, 2024 |
| Iowa* | October 21, 2024 |
| Kansas | October 15, 2024 |
| Kentucky | October 7, 2024 |
| Lousiana | October 15, 2024 (Must be postmarked by October 7.) |
| Maine* | October 15, 2024 |
| Maryland* | October 15, 2024 |
| Massachusetts | October 26, 2024 |
| Michigan* | October 21, 2024 |
| Minnesota* | October 15, 2024 |
| Mississippi | October 7, 2024 (Online registration not available.) |
| Missouri | October 9, 2024 |
| Montana* | October 7, 2024 (Online registration not available.) |
| Nebraska | October 18, 2024 (October 25 if in-person.) |
| Nevada* | October 23, 2024 (Must be postmarked by October 8.) |
| New Hampshire* | November 5, 2024 |
| New Jersey | October 15, 2024 |
| New Mexico* | October 8, 2024 |
| New York* | October 26, 2024 |
| North Carolina* | October 11, 2024 |
| North Dakota | Registration is not required. |
| Ohio | October 7, 2024 |
| Oklahoma | October 11, 2024 |
| Oregon | October 15, 2024 |
| Pennsylvania | October 21, 2024 |
| Rhode Island | October 6, 2024 |
| South Carolina | October 6, 2024 |
| South Dakota | October 21, 2024 (Online registration not available.) |
| Tennessee | October 7, 2024 |
| Texas | October 7, 2024 (Online registration not available.) |
| Utah* | October 25, 2024 |
| Vermont* | November 5, 2024 |
| Virginia* | October 15, 2024 |
| Washington* | October 28, 2024 |
| Washington D.C.* | October 15, 2024 |
| West Virginia | October 15, 2024 |
| Wisconsin* | October 16, 2024 |
| Wyoming* | October 21, 2024 |
How to vote absentee, otherwise known as voting by mail
Absentee voting — which is also referred to as “mail-in voting” or “by-mail voting” — is conducted by mail-in ballot before the day of Election Day. Although every state has their own rules, all states will offer a voter an absentee or mail-in ballot if certain conditions are met.
One-third of states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands require voters to provide an excuse for voting by absentee ballot — such as being sick or out of the state on Election Day — while two-thirds of states and Washington D.C. offer no-excuse absentee voting. Eight states have elections that are held exclusively by mail-in ballot.
How to vote by mail
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), almost all states permit voters to return a delivered ballot in-person at the office of the local election official (either the county election official or the town/city clerk, depending on who runs elections in the state). Some states allow you to drop off a voted absentee/mailed ballot at Election Day voting locations or in secured drop boxes.
Two important things to know, based on the state where you live:
- How to vote absentee or by mail: Visit the ACLU’s guide to voting by mail or your state election office website to find your state’s rules.
- When ballots must be postmarked and received: Check your state’s rules. For instance, in California, ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within seven days, while in Kentucky, they must be received by 6 p.m. Election Day. For your convenience, we’ve provided a list of state sites below.
One surprising benefit: While filling out your ballot at home, you can spend more time researching who to vote for in often-overlooked local races, or down-ballot races, based on the issues you care most about, notes Vilardi. She recommends researching your options on Ballotpedia.org. “This is a comprehensive website,” notes Vilardi. “But their simple Sample Ballot Tool gives you a great way to know your ballot. If you’re a first time voter, this is a great way to get a sneak peek of who and what will be on your ballot ahead of going to the polls.”
How to do early voting
If you’re concerned about long lines or finding time to vote on Election Day, you might want to consider voting early. “Early voting days offer you flexibility so that you can get to your polling station over a series of days — usually the week before the Tuesday election,” explains Vilardi.
According to USA.gov, most states have early voting, and you don’t need an excuse to cast your ballot ahead of Election Day. This early voting chart lists time frames for states that offer early voting. Early voting locations may be different than your usual polling place, so be sure to look up the correct place to vote in your area and don’t be surprised if you have to go somewhere different than where you regularly vote.
The bottom line
Voting is a sacred right and privilege, but it also requires preparation. It’s important to know how to register to vote in your state and when votes need to be cast for Election Day 2024.
Long lines, mail delays and scheduling issues can all impact the ease of voting, so it’s important to plan ahead. “At this point, it’s up to us — individuals, organizations and states — to find solutions,” Hartsock says.
One useful tool: a voting time estimator for all of the polling locations across the city, like Austin has. You can check your area and see places that seem to have shorter wait times so you can prepare accordingly. Check your city’s government website to find out if this tool is available near you.
However, you could avoid Election Day stress by voting absentee/by mail or hitting your polling place on an early voting day.
