If you're like me and have moved since the last Presidential election was held 4 years ago, you may not know if you've registered yourself to vote or not in your new state and / or district. I think I did, but it's one of those things that you have every intention to get around to doing. And it's not like we all vote in non-Presidential election years, right?
No matter what the polls say, no mater how far one candidate may be leading the other, all of us need to get out and vote. It does seem that there are some states that are receiving a little more attention, the race is a little tighter, and it may come down to their final count, but all states do matter.
So have you registered to vote yet? When is the cut off date for registering in your state?
One place of residence needs you to register by September 9th while others you can register at the polls on voting day. Some states allow electronic registration while others need you to mail in information or show up un person by a certain date.
For all of the helpful information, including what you may need to bring to the polls and links to help with registration, go to CNN.com and their "How To Register To Vote In Every US State And Territory."
Good luck on getting out there and voting. And don't forget to get our LGBT allies out there to support the correct candidates.
For those battleground states, here is the info.
Colorado
- How to register: Register online or with your county clerk and recorder.
- When you have to register by: October 31
- Qualifications for registration: US citizen, Colorado resident, 18 years by Election Day, not serving time or parole for a felony.
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, an ID is requested, but Colorado holds its elections by mail.
Iowa
- How to register: You can register online, mail a form to your county auditor or in person at a county auditor or anywhere that issues driver's licenses.
- When you have to register by: The preregistration deadline is October 29, but you can also register to vote on Election Day at your polling place with proof of ID and residence.
- Qualifications for registration: A citizen and Iowa resident of at least 18 years old, although you may register by 17-and-a-half, but not if you are a convicted felon (unless rights restored by the governor or president of the United States.)
- Also: Iowa has a goofy video series about voting that also have more than enough information in them.
Florida
- How to register: You register by mail or in person with your county supervisor of elections, a driver's license office, a tax collector or disability agency, a military recruitment office or a public library.
- When you have to register by: October 11
- Qualifications for registration: US citizen, resident of Florida, able to provide a Florida ID or last four digits of your Social Security number, not judged mentally incapacitated, convicted felons must apply for having their rights restored after a five-to-seven-year waiting period depending on their offense.
- Also: You can pre-register to vote by age 16, but not able to vote until 18
- And: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, if you do not present a valid ID, you must use a provisional ballot and election officials will compare your signature to a signature on record.
Michigan
- How to register: You can mail a registration form to your city's clerk, or in person at military recruitment centers and state agencies (who need to send it to your city's clerk). More information is available here.
- When you have to register by: October 11
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen and 18 by Election Day and living in Michigan. Convicted felons not currently serving a sentence have their voting rights restored.
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, if you do not present a valid ID, you must sign an affidavit.
Nevada
- How to register: You can register online, mail a form to your county election office or show up there.
- When you have to register by: October 18
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen, living in Nevada and 18 years old by Election Day. You cannot register if a court has ruled you incompetent. Non-violent felons have their rights restored after they complete their sentences. Violent and all repeat felons have to go to the court where they were convicted to request their voting rights once they complete their sentences.
New Hampshire
- How to register: You can mail or show up to your city clerk. You can also register at your voting location on Election Day. More information is available here.
- When you have to register by: With your city clerk by October 29, otherwise you need to register on election day where you go to vote.
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen, 18 years old on Election Day and living in New Hampshire. Convicted felons not currently serving a sentence have their voting rights restored, unless you have been convicted of treason, bribery or violating election laws.
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, you must provide an ID. If you do not, you need to sign an affidavit which will be followed up in the mail. Failure to respond will lead to an investigation for voter fraud.
North Carolina
- How to register: You can mail the form to your county board of elections, or show up to many government offices including the DMV. More information is available here.
- When you have to register by: October 14 by 5:00 PM
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen living in North Carolina and 18 by Election Day. Convicted felons can vote after completing their sentences, including parole and probation.
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, you must provide an ID. If you do not have an ID you must sign a form providing a reason why you do not have one. If you cannot provide a "reasonable impediment," you must use a provisional ballot.
Ohio
- How to register: You can mail your voter registration form to the secretary of state's office or your county board of elections. You can also register in person at the county board, the BMV, a county treasurer's office or a library. More information is available here.
- When you have to register by: October 11
- Qualifications for registration: You need to be a US citizen living in Ohio and 18 by Election Day. You cannot register if a probate court has declared you incompetent or you have been permanently denied voting rights over election law violations. You cannot vote while you're incarcerated for a felony.
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this state has a strict non-photo ID law.
Pennsylvania
- How to register: You can register to vote online, send a form to your county voter registration office or drop it off there yourself.
- When you have to register by: October 11
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen (at least one month before the election) and a resident of Pennsylvania You need to be 18 by Election Day. Convicted felons not currently serving a sentence have their voting rights restored.
Virginia
- How to register: You can register online, mail a form to the Department of Elections or your voter registration office. You can also pick the form up from many government agencies and drop it off at the voter registration office.
- When you have to register by: October 17
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen and living in Virginia. You can register at 17 if you will be 18 by Election Day, although you may not vote in the general election until you are 18. You cannot register to vote if a court has declared you mentally incompetent, or if you have been convicted of a felony, unless you have had your rights restored.
- Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe is in favor of allowing felon voting, but was rebuffed by the Virginia Supreme Court.
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this state has a strict photo ID law.
Wisconsin
- How to register: You can mail a form to your municipal clerk's office or drop it off their yourself. You can also register when you go to vote on Election Day. More information is available here.
- When you have to register by: Mail by October 19, in person by November fourth or Election Day at your polling place.
- Qualifications for registration: You must be a US citizen, living in Wisconsin and 18 by Election Day. You cannot register if a court has judged you incompetent, and convicted felons can vote after completing their sentences, including parole and probation. Wisconsin's Government Accountability Board says, "You are not eligible to vote if you have placed a bet or a wager on the outcome of the election."
- Also: According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this state has a strict photo ID law.
h/t: CNN.com