Situation card · Know your rights
Voting for the first time: what you need
How to register, what ID you may need, and your rights at the polls when you vote for the first time.
The 10-second version: say this
- I was in line before the polls closed. I want to vote.
- I would like to cast a provisional ballot.
- I need help voting. I choose this person to help me.
Stay in line. If something goes wrong, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
Do
- Register before your state's deadline.
- Check your registration at vote.gov.
- Look up your state's ID rules ahead of time.
- Find your polling place before Election Day.
Don't
- Don't leave the line if the polls close.
- Don't leave without asking for a provisional ballot.
- Don't register in two places at once.
Who can vote
- You must be a U.S. citizen.
- You must be 18 by Election Day.
- You must meet your state's rules about where you live.
- Some states let you pre-register at 16 or 17. Some let 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.
How to register
- Go to vote.gov. Choose your state. It will show you how to register.
- Deadlines differ by state. Some are about a month before Election Day.
- Some states let you register on Election Day.
- College students can generally register at their school address or their home address. Pick one, not both.
ID rules
- ID rules differ by state. Some states require photo ID. Some accept other ID. Some do not ask for ID.
- If you registered by mail and this is your first federal election, federal law may require you to show ID. This can be a photo ID or a current bill, bank statement, or government document with your name and address.
- Check your state's rules at vote.gov before you go.
Your rights at the polls
- In line when polls close. In most states, if you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote. Stay in line.
- Provisional ballot. If your name is not on the list, you can usually cast a provisional ballot. Officials check later whether you were eligible.
- Help voting. You may need help because of a disability or because you have trouble reading. Federal law lets you bring a person of your choice. That person cannot be your employer or an officer of your union. This is Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act.
- Accessible voting. Polling places must offer a way for voters with disabilities to vote privately and on their own.
- No threats. Scaring or threatening voters is illegal under federal law.
If something goes wrong
- Call or text the Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
- Write down what happened, the time, and the names of people involved.
- See the card "Turned away from voting" for more steps.
Common questions
What do I need to bring to vote for the first time?
It depends on your state. Some states require photo ID, some accept other ID, and some do not ask. If you registered by mail and this is your first federal election, federal law may require ID or a current bill or bank statement. Check vote.gov before you go.
How do I register to vote?
Go to vote.gov and choose your state. It shows you how to register where you live. Deadlines differ by state, and some are about a month before Election Day. Some states let you register on Election Day.
What if my name isn't on the voter list?
You can usually cast a provisional ballot. First, ask the poll worker to check again, and ask if you are at the right polling place. If it is not fixed, say: "I would like to cast a provisional ballot." Officials check later whether you were eligible.
Can I vote if I'm in line when polls close?
Yes, in most states. If you are in line when the polls close, you can still vote. Stay in line. If someone tells you to leave, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
How old do you have to be to vote?
You must be 18 by Election Day. The Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971) protects the vote for citizens 18 and older. Some states let you pre-register at 16 or 17. Some let 17-year-olds vote in a primary if they will be 18 by the general election.
Can college students vote where they go to school?
Yes, generally. College students can usually register at their school address or their home address. Pick one, not both. Do not register in two places at once. Check your state's rules at vote.gov.
Can someone help me vote?
Yes, if you need help because of a disability or because you have trouble reading. Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act lets you bring a person of your choice. That person cannot be your employer or an officer of your union.
The law you are citing
Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971): If you are 18 or older, states cannot block you from voting because of your age.
The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
Fifteenth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-fourth Amendments: States cannot block you from voting because of your race or your sex. No one can charge you a tax to vote in a federal election.
Get help
- Register or check your registrationvote.gov
- Election Protection Hotline1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)