Election Day is almost here. On Tuesday, Nov. 3, voters across the country will head to the polls to decide federal, state and local races.
All eyes will be on states where redistricting has reshaped congressional maps, as voters will determine whether district lines drawn to benefit Republicans or Democrats fulfill each party's hopes to flip more seats in their favor.
Voting is a fundamental part of civic participation, but it often takes a little preparation. From registration deadlines to voting rules and polling locations, here's what you need to know before Election Day.
Am I eligible to vote?
U.S. citizens registered to vote are eligible to cast a ballot in this year’s federal, state, and local elections. Voters must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen. American citizens can vote while living abroad. Some areas also allow non-citizens to vote in local elections only.
- Meet state residency requirements. Each state’s requirements may vary. Unhoused people can also meet these requirements.
- Be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
Do I need to register to vote?
Americans must be
registered before their state or area's voter registration deadline to vote in the general election, with one exception: Voters in North Dakota do not need to register to vote.
How do I register?
Americans living abroad or members of the military living outside the U.S. can use the Federal Voting Assistance Program to register and request an absentee ballot.
What's the deadline to register?
Voter registration deadlines vary by area. With Election Day just days away, the deadline to register to vote has already passed in more than a dozen U.S. states. Some states, like Colorado, will allow voters to register in person up until Election Day, but others like Iowa will require you to register at least 15 days before the election. In some states, like Ohio, the deadline is 30 days before Election Day.
Your deadline will depend on where you live. Select your state or territory on vote.gov to check your area's rules.
I have moved, do I need to re-register?
If you have moved out of state, you need to register to vote in the new state.
If you moved to a new area or address in the same state, you need to update your voter registration. If you changed your name, you also need to update your voter registration. Depending on the state or territory, you may need to re-register entirely for your registration to reflect the updated information, or you may need to fill out a specific form.
You can also change the political party listed on your registration by contacting your state or local election office.
Can I vote online?
Can I vote by mail?
Whether you can vote by mail depends on your location. Some states, like Texas, require residents have an excuse to vote by mail, while others, like California, allow it for everyone.
Select your state or territory on vote.gov to check your area's rules.
How do I get my mail-in ballot?
If you are not in one of the states that require an excuse to vote by mail, getting hold of a mail-in ballot is a relatively simple process.
Voters in all other parts of the country have the option to vote by mail in 2026. Voters in states such as Nevada are automatically sent a mail-in ballot if registered. Registered voters in other states like Wisconsin are automatically sent an application to request a mail-in ballot. Other states require registered voters to seek out an application to request a mail-in ballot on their own.
Select your state or territory on vote.gov to check your area's rules.
What's the latest date I can vote by mail?
Can I track my mail-in ballot?
Ballot tracking is available in most states, with some exceptions. Illinois and Wyoming do not have a statewide ballot tracker, but ballot tracking may be offered at the county level. Missouri does not offer ballot tracking. New York and Texas both have separate trackers for domestic ballots and overseas or military ballots.
Can I vote in person?
How do I find out where my polling site is?
You can find out where to vote by checking your voter registration. You can also contact your local election office for clarification or request accommodations for a disability.
You cannot change your polling location without updating your voter registration. Your state or local election office assigns your polling location based on your address. If you try to vote somewhere other than your assigned polling site, you may have to cast a provisional ballot and your vote might not count, according to vote.gov.
What to do when I arrive at the polling location?
When you arrive at your polling location, especially if you are voting on Election Day, be prepared to wait in line. Most states require voters to bring a form of identification to vote in person.
Voter ID laws vary by state. Some may ask to see a photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, or passport. Others may require you to provide your birth certificate or Social Security card. Fourteen states and Washington, D.C., do not require any document to vote. The National Conference of State Legislatures breaks down voter ID requirements by state.
Where do I find election results?
USA TODAY will bring you live coverage of national and state results on election night and over the following days. Don't expect final results on election night. Local and state certification deadlines range from two days to more than a month after Nov. 5.
Vote.gov contributed to the reporting of this story. Reach Rachel Barber at rbarber@usatoday.com and follow her on X @rachelbarber_
Illustrations by Veronica Bravo.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Election Day is coming fast. Here's what voters should know
