The people we elect decide how safe our schools and neighborhoods are. Every time you vote, you help choose who makes those decisions.
Gun violence is not inevitable. It is the result of choices, policies, and priorities that can be changed. When you vote, you shape what kind of country we live in: one that accepts gun violence as normal, or one that invests in safety, prevention, and care for every community.
Every ballot is a chance to stand up for lives over profit, for safety over fear, and for action over indifference. That goes for every race, not just the ones at the top of the ticket. State legislators, prosecutors, and school board members all shape safety where you live, and they’re on your ballot too.
This page has everything you need to use your power with confidence. Check your registration, register for the first time, find out where and how to vote, see what’s on your ballot, and learn your rights at the polls, all in one place. Whether this is your first election or your fifteenth, this is your guide to voting.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Deadlines to register and request a mail ballot come sooner, so check yours now.
Even if you’ve registered before, check again. People get dropped from voter rolls all the time after a move, a name change, or a clerical mistake, and most don’t find out until they show up to vote.
Register to Vote
Whether you’re voting for the first time, just moved, or changed your name, you can register or update your info here in about two minutes. Some states even let you register and vote on the same day.
Vote By Mail
In most states, anyone can vote by mail, no excuse needed. Request your ballot early, read the instructions, and sign the envelope exactly how they ask. Missing or mismatched signatures are one of the most common reasons ballots get held up.
Track Your Mail Ballot
Once you’ve sent it back, follow your ballot until it’s counted. If something’s off, like a missing signature, many states will reach out and give you a chance to fix it.
Find Where to Vote
Between school, work, and everything else, finding time to vote isn’t always easy. Many states let you vote early, sometimes weeks ahead, and some let you fill out an absentee ballot in person at your election office. If you’re voting on Election Day, double check your polling place, since it can change even if you haven’t moved. Enter your address below to find early voting spots, your polling place, and drop boxes, with maps and hours where available.
See What’s On Your Ballot
There’s a lot more on your ballot than the races in the news. Some of the decisions that matter most in your community happen way down the ballot, in races that can come down to a few hundred votes:
State legislators write most of the laws on guns, schools, and public safety in your state.
Attorneys general decide which state laws get enforced and how.
District attorneys decide which cases get prosecuted in your community.
Sheriffs lead local law enforcement and shape how your county responds to violence.
School board members make decisions about safety in your schools.
Judges interpret the laws and rule on how they’re applied.
Look up your sample ballot ahead of time so you don’t have to guess or skip anything. Enter your address below to see your federal and state races, learn more about each candidate, and save your picks. Local races and ballot questions may not show up here, so check your official sample ballot from your local election office for the full list.
If something goes wrong when you try to vote, you have options. These hotlines are free, nonpartisan, and staffed by people trained to help you on the spot.
Whether it’s your first time voting or your twentieth, everyone has questions about the process. We’ve answered some of the most common ones below, from how to register to what to bring and what to do if something goes wrong.
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) or reach out to your local election office.
Not always. In most states, you can register at 17 as long as you’ll be 18 by Election Day. Some states let you pre-register at 16 or 17, so you’re automatically added to the voter rolls on your 18th birthday.
Young people have a huge stake in what gets decided this election. Registering now means you’re ready to vote the second you’re eligible.
No. Once you’re registered, you stay registered. You only need to update your registration if you move, change your name, or want to change your party affiliation in states where that matters. You can also be removed from the rolls if you haven’t voted in a while and don’t respond to notices from your election office, so it’s smart to check your registration before every election.
Yes. You can register with either your school address or your home address, whichever you consider home. Living in a dorm counts. Just remember you can only be registered in one place at a time.
If you get mail at a campus P.O. box, your state may ask you to confirm your physical address, usually with a letter from your school’s housing office. Rules vary, so look up your state’s rules before you register.
You get to choose. You can register at your school address and vote there, or stay registered at home and vote by absentee ballot. You can’t do both. If you vote absentee from home, request your ballot early and leave extra time for it to get there and back by mail.
Update your registration as soon as you can. Your address decides where you vote and what’s on your ballot, so an old address can cause problems on Election Day. If you aren’t sure what’s on file, check your registration first.
Already missed your state’s deadline? You might still be able to vote. Many states let people who moved within the state update their address at the polls or cast a provisional ballot. If you’re not sure what applies to you, call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
Yes. Every eligible citizen has the right to vote, with or without a permanent address. When you register, you’ll be asked for an address so officials know which district you vote in and where to send election mail.
You can usually use a shelter, a friend or family member’s home, or a place where you regularly stay, like a street corner or park. You may also be able to list a separate mailing address. For your state’s specific rules, check Nonprofit VOTE.
In a lot of cases, yes, but it depends on your state. In most states, your right to vote comes back after you’re released or after you finish your sentence, including parole or probation. In Maine, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., you never lose the right to vote, even while incarcerated.
Plenty of people who can vote don’t realize it, or get told the wrong thing. Don’t assume you can’t. Check your state’s rules or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
U.S. citizens serving in the military, their families, and citizens living abroad can all vote absentee in federal elections. Request your ballot as early as you can, since overseas mail takes longer.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program walks you through the process for every state.
A lot. MFOL was started by students, most of them too young to vote, and our movement still includes leaders as young as elementary school. You don’t need a ballot to make a difference.
You can work the polls, remind your friends and family to vote, help people make a plan, or offer rides on Election Day. In some states, you can also pre-register at 16 or 17, so you’re ready the day you turn 18. And you can join an MFOL chapter and organize in your community all year round.
Pick how you’ll vote. Decide whether you’ll vote early in person, by mail, or on Election Day.
Find your polling place. Look up where you’ll vote. Locations can change, so check even if you’ve voted before.
Pick a time. Choose when you’ll vote, add it to your calendar, and sign up for reminders so you don’t forget.
Plan how you’ll get there. Decide whether you’ll walk, drive, take public transportation, or need a ride. Check the map and hours for your polling place before you go.
Review your ballot. Look up your sample ballot and research the candidates and measures. Bring your notes if your state allows it.
Bring the right ID. Requirements vary by state, so check what you need before you go.
Vote! Cast your ballot, then help your friends and family get registered and make their own plan.
Probably. Most states offer some kind of early in-person voting. In some states, it starts weeks before Election Day. In others, it’s just a few days.
If your state doesn’t offer early voting, you can usually still vote ahead of time with an absentee or mail ballot. Some states also let you request and cast an absentee ballot in person at your local election office, which works a lot like early voting.
Voting early means shorter lines and more flexibility if your schedule is packed. Look up early voting locations and hours where you live.
In most states, any registered voter can request a mail ballot, no reason needed. A few states require a specific reason, like travel, school, work, illness, or a disability. Some states automatically mail a ballot to every registered voter.
Request your ballot early. When it arrives, read the instructions carefully, fill it out, and sign the envelope exactly as directed. Then mail it back or drop it at an official drop box if your state has them. Return deadlines vary by state, so don’t wait until the last minute.
Most states let you track your ballot online, from when it’s mailed to you to when it’s received and counted. Keep an eye on it after you send it back.
If there’s a problem, like a missing signature or one that doesn’t match your records, many states will contact you and give you a chance to fix it. This is called “curing” your ballot. If you hear from your election office, respond quickly, since there’s usually a deadline.
If you have questions, call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
It’s a common worry, but voting by mail is safe and reliable. Here’s why:
It has a long track record. Mail voting goes back to the Civil War, when soldiers voted from the battlefield. Today, millions of Americans vote by mail every election, including troops overseas, and several states run most or all of their elections by mail.
Every mail ballot gets checked. Election officials use safeguards like signature matching and barcode tracking to confirm who you are and that you’re eligible. Only ballots that meet every requirement get counted.
Voter fraud is extremely rare. When it does happen, it’s investigated and prosecuted.
No one gets to vote twice. Poll books show whether someone already requested or returned a mail ballot. If there’s any question, that voter gets a provisional ballot, which only counts once it’s verified.
If you want extra peace of mind, send your ballot back early and track it online until it’s counted.
In most states, yes. Bring your mail ballot with you to the polls, and poll workers can cancel it so you can vote in person. If you don’t have it with you, you may have to vote with a provisional ballot, which gets counted once officials confirm you didn’t also vote by mail.
Rules vary by state, so check with your local election office or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
It depends on your state. Some states ask for ID when you register, some when you vote, and some don’t require it at all. What counts as ID also varies, from a driver’s license or passport to a student ID or utility bill.
Check your state’s rules before you go so you bring the right thing. If you don’t have the required ID, many states offer a free one or let you vote with a provisional ballot or signed affidavit.
You don’t need to be an expert to vote. You just need to know what’s on your ballot and which choices line up with your values. Here’s how to get there:
See what’s on your ballot. Enter your address in the ballot lookup tool to see your federal and state races. You can also check Ballotpedia’s ballot tool for local races. Your local election office may also have a sample ballot posted online.
Start with nonpartisan guides. Official voter guides from your state or local election office, VOTE411, and Ballotpedia all explain what each office does, who’s running, and what each measure would change.
Look at endorsements. Think about the issues you care about most, then see which candidates and measures are backed by organizations that share your values. Some groups have misleading names, so check what they actually stand for. Newspaper editorial boards also publish endorsements, usually with an explanation of their reasoning.
Check their track record. If a candidate has held office before, look at how they voted and what they actually got done. It can tell you more than campaign promises.
Hear from the candidates directly. Debates, town halls, and candidate forums show you how candidates think and where they stand. Many are streamed online, which is especially helpful for local races where there’s less coverage. Candidate websites and social media can help too, but remember they’re designed to win your vote.
Read ballot measures carefully. The wording can be confusing, sometimes on purpose, and a yes vote doesn’t always mean what it sounds like. Look up what the measure would actually change before you decide.
Stick to trustworthy sources. False and misleading information spreads fast around elections. Rely on official election sites, nonpartisan guides, and outlets you trust.
No. If you skip a race, the rest of your ballot still counts.
But try to vote the whole thing if you can. The races further down, like state legislature, local offices, and ballot measures, often have the biggest impact on your daily life and your community’s safety. Looking at your ballot ahead of time makes those races a lot easier.
Don’t leave. Ask the poll worker to check again, including under any old names or addresses. Then make sure you’re at the right polling place, since it may have changed.
If there’s still a problem, you have the right to cast a provisional ballot. It gets counted once officials confirm you’re eligible. Some states ask for a follow-up step, like showing ID within a few days, so ask what happens next. You can also call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for help right there.
It depends on your state. Some states allow it, but others ban photos of marked ballots or restrict phone use inside polling places. To be safe, wait until you’re outside to take your “I Voted” selfie. You can still bring written notes in many states, so fill out your picks ahead of time.
You have the right to vote privately and independently. Every polling place has to have at least one accessible voting machine. You can also bring someone to help you vote, as long as it’s not your employer or someone from your union.
Many states also offer curbside voting, accessible mail ballots, and other accommodations. If you run into barriers, ask a poll worker or call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).
In many states, yes. Some states require employers to give you time off to vote, and some require it to be paid. The rules differ on how much time you get and whether you have to give notice.
Check your state’s rules and talk to your employer ahead of time. If you have a tight schedule, early voting or voting by mail can make it a lot easier.
Yes. Who you vote for is secret. No one, including your family, your employer, or your school, can find out how you voted. Whether you voted is public record, though, and in some states your party registration is too.
Wear that sticker with pride because you earned it! Then help the people around you get there too. Text your friends, check in with your family, and share that you voted. Seeing someone they know vote is one of the biggest things that gets people to the polls.
Your vote is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect our communities and build a country where safety is the norm. Now pass it on.
