Skip to content
23 days until Election Day, November 5, 2024
Last updated:

Voter pre-registration rules

You can register to vote before you turn 18 in every state except for North Dakota. This is sometimes called “pre-registration” and the rules vary by state. In about half the states, you can register to vote as soon as you reach a certain age, such as 16 or 17. In the other states, you can register to vote when you’re 17, as long as you will be 18 by November 5, 2024. Your registration will be marked as “pending” and will be automatically activated on your 18th birthday.

Details

Alabama

To register to vote in Alabama you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Alabama and your county at the time of registration
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not currently be declared mentally incompetent through a competency hearing
  • swear or affirm to support and defend the Constitution of the US and the State of Alabama and further disavow any belief or affiliation with any group which advocates the overthrow of the governments of the US or the State of Alabama by unlawful means.
17State registration form asks that the person be 18 "by the next election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Alabama
Alaska

To register in Alaska you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old within 90 days of completing your registration
  • be a resident of Alaska for at least 30 days just before the election.
17.75Registration is allowed beginning 90 days before the person's 18th birthday.Register to vote in Alaska
Arizona

To register in Arizona you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Arizona and your county at least 29 days preceding the next election
  • be 18 years old by the General Election
  • be able to write your name or mark, unless prevented from doing so by physical disability
  • not currently be declared an incapacitated person by a court of law.
17State statute indicates the person must be "eighteen years of age or more on or before the date of the regular general election next following his registration." To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Arizona
Arkansas

To register in Arkansas you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be an Arkansas resident
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not claim the right to vote in any other jurisdiction
  • not be deemed mentally incompetent by a court
  • If you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed your entire sentence (including probation and parole) and paid any fines, fees, or restitution to register to vote. If you are re-registering to vote for the first time after your felony, you must provide proof of completion of your sentence along with a voter registration form.
17State registration form asks that the person be "18 years of age on or before Election Day". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Arkansas
California

To register in California you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of California
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • not be imprisoned or on parole for the conviction of a felony
  • not currently be judged mentally incompetent by a court of law.
16
Register to vote in California
Colorado

To register in Colorado you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Colorado 22 days prior to Election Day
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16). If you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election
  • not be currently incarcerated after being convicted and sentenced for a felony.
16
Register to vote in Colorado
Connecticut

To register in Connecticut you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Connecticut and of the town where you want to vote
  • be 17 years old (you can vote when you turn 18)
  • not currently be declared mentally incompetent to vote by a court of law
  • if convicted of a felony, have completed confinement and parole. If you have been convicted of an election related crime, you cannot vote until you have completed prison, probation, and parole.
1717 year olds, who will turn 18 on or before election day, may participate in general primary.Register to vote in Connecticut
Delaware

To register in Delaware you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a permanent resident of Delaware
  • be 18 years old by the next General Election
  • not be mentally incompetent
  • if you have been convicted of a felony, you are eligible to vote as long as you have served your sentence (including parole) and your convictions were not for disqualifying felonies, including: murder and manslaughter (except vehicular homicide), sexual offenses, or crimes against public administration involving bribery or improper influence or abuse of office.
16Only available in person at the department of motor vehicles. Voter registration form and online registration site require the person to be 18 by Election Day.Register to vote in Delaware
District of Columbia

To register in the District of Columbia you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a District of Columbia resident at least 30 days preceding the next election
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
  • not have been judged legally incompetent by a court of law
  • not claim the right to vote anywhere outside DC.
16
Register to vote in District of Columbia
Florida

To register in Florida you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a legal resident of both the State of Florida and of the county in which you seek to be registered
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • not be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other State, or if you have, you must first have your voting rights restored
  • not have been convicted of a sexual crime or murder (If you have been convicted of any other felony, you must have completed your sentence, including probation and parole, and paid any fines, fees, or restitution)
  • swear or affirm the following: I will protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Florida, that I am qualified to register as an elector under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, and that all information in this application is true.
16
Register to vote in Florida
Georgia

To register in Georgia you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a legal resident of Georgia and of the county in which you want to vote
  • be 17 1/2 years old to register and 18 years old on Election Day
  • not have been judicially determined to be mentally incompetent, unless the disability status has been removed.
17.5Registration is allowed if the person will reach voting age within 6 months.Register to vote in Georgia
Hawaii

To register in Hawaii you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of the State of Hawaii
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • not be incarcerated for a felony conviction
  • not be adjudicated by a court as non compos mentis.
16
Register to vote in Hawaii
Idaho

To register in Idaho you must:

  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a citizen of the United States
  • have resided in Idaho and in the county for at least 30 days before Election Day
  • not be serving a sentence of imprisonment for a felony. Your voting rights are restored once you have completed your sentence, probation, and parole.
17State registration form asks that the person be "at least 18 years of age on Election Day". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Idaho
Illinois

To register in Illinois you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Illinois and of your election precinct for at least 30 days before Election Day
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
  • not be currently incarcerated for a felony
  • not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
16Pre-registration is available at 16 via online voter registration. The paper form still asks the person to certify they will be 18 by Election Day.Register to vote in Illinois
Indiana

To register in Indiana you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • have resided in the precinct at least 30 days before the next election
  • be 18 years old by the next General Election
  • not currently be incarcerated for a felony.
17Statute indicates someone may register if they "will be at least eighteen (18) years of age by the next general, municipal, or special election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Indiana
Iowa

To register in Iowa you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Iowa
  • be 18 years old by Election day (If you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
  • not currently be judged by a court to be “incompetent to vote"
  • not claim the right to vote in more than one place.
17
Register to vote in Iowa
Kansas

To register in Kansas you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Kansas
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • have completed the terms of your sentence if convicted of a felony- a person serving a sentence for a felony conviction is ineligible to vote
  • not claim the right to vote in any other location or under any other name
  • not be excluded from voting for mental incompetence by a court of competent jurisdiction.
17Statute indicates someone may register if they "will have reached the age of eighteen (18) years before the next statewide general election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Kansas
Kentucky

To register in Kentucky you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Kentucky for at least 28 days before Election Day
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
  • not have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law
  • not claim the right to vote anywhere outside Kentucky.
17
Register to vote in Kentucky
Louisiana

To register in Louisiana you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Louisiana at least 20 days prior to the election (if registering through the GeauxVote Online Registration System) OR 30 days (if registering by in-person or mail)
  • be 17 years old to register (16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles) and be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not currently be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony (if you are under an order but have not been incarcerated within the last five years, you ARE eligible to vote unless your conviction was for election fraud)
  • not currently be under a judgment of interdiction for mental incompetence.
16Although statute indicates pre-registration should be available in Louisiana starting at 16, the online registration website and paper registration form both ask the person to indicate they will be 18 by Election Day. Instructions suggest a person old enough to pre-register can say "Yes" even if they won't be 18 by the next election, but we recommend that the person confirm their eligibility with their local election office.Register to vote in Louisiana
Maine

To register in Maine you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Maine and the municipality where you want to vote
  • be 17 years old to register and at least 18 to vote. If you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election.
16
Register to vote in Maine
Maryland

To register in Maryland you must:

  • be a U.S. citizen
  • be a Maryland resident
  • be 18 years old by the next General Election (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • not be under guardianship for mental disability
  • not have been convicted of buying or selling votes
  • not have been convicted of a felony, or if you have, have completed serving a court ordered sentence of imprisonment, including any term of parole or probation for the conviction.
16
Register to vote in Maryland
Massachusetts

To register in Massachusetts you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Massachusetts
  • be 18 years old by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • not be temporarily or permanently ineligible to vote because of election crimes
  • not be under guardianship with respect to voting
  • not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction.
16
Register to vote in Massachusetts
Michigan

To register in Michigan you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a resident of Michigan and be a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days before Election Day
  • not be currently incarcerated after being convicted and sentenced

Warning: Michigan law requires that the same address be used for voter registration and driver's license purposes. Therefore, if the residence address you provide on this form differs from the address shown on a driver's license or personal identification card issued by the State of Michigan, the Secretary of State will automatically change your driver's license or personal identification card address to match the residence address entered on this form. If an address change is made, the Secretary of State will mail you an address update sticker for your driver's license or personal identification card.

16
Register to vote in Michigan
Minnesota

To register in Minnesota you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days before Election Day
  • maintain residence at the address given on the registration form
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • if previously convicted of a felony, have completed or been discharged from your sentence
  • not be under a court-ordered guardianship in which the right to vote has been revoked
  • not be found by a court to be legally incompetent to vote.
16
Register to vote in Minnesota
Mississippi

To register in Mississippi you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • have lived in Mississippi and in your county (and city, if applicable) for at least 30 days before Election Day
  • be 18 years old by Election day (if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
  • have not been convicted of voter fraud, murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement, armed robbery, extortion, felony bad check, felony shoplifting, larceny, receiving stolen property, robbery, timber larceny, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, statutory rape, carjacking, or larceny under lease or rental agreement, or have had your rights restored as required by law
  • not have been declared mentally incompetent by a court.
17Statute indicates someone may register if they "will be eighteen (18) years of age or older on or before the date of the general election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Mississippi
Missouri

To vote in Missouri you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Missouri
  • be 17.5 years old (you must be 18 by Election Day to vote)
  • not be on probation or parole after conviction of a felony, until finally discharged from such probation or parole
  • not be convicted of a felony or misdemeanor connected with the right of suffrage
  • not be adjudged incapacitated by any court of law
  • not be confined under a sentence of imprisonment.
17.5
Register to vote in Missouri
Montana

To register in Montana you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a resident of Montana and of the county in which you want to vote for at least 30 days before the next election
  • not be in a penal institution for a felony conviction
  • not currently be determined by a court to be of unsound mind
  • meet these qualifications by the next Election Day if you do not currently meet them.
17The state registration form asks the person to certify they will "be at least 18 years of age on or before election day". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Montana
Nebraska

To register in Nebraska you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Nebraska
  • be 17 years old to register and 18 years old by the General Election
  • if convicted of a felony, two years have passed since the sentence was completed (including any parole or probation)
  • not have been officially found to be mentally incompetent
  • not have been convicted of treason, unless you have had your civil rights stored.
17
Register to vote in Nebraska
Nevada

To register in Nevada you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by election day (you may pre-register if you are 17)
  • have continuously resided in the State of Nevada and in your county for at least 30 days and resided in your precinct for at least 10 days before the next election
  • not be incarcerated for a felony
  • not be determined by a court of law to be mentally incompetent
  • claim no other place as your legal residence.
17
Register to vote in Nevada
New Hampshire

To register in New Hampshire you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a resident of New Hampshire and be a resident of the town or city within New Hampshire that you are registering to vote
  • not be incarcerated for a felony.
17Statute indicates a person may register if they "shall be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in New Hampshire
New Jersey

To register in New Jersey you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 17 years old to register and 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a resident of New Jersey, your county and at your address at least 30 days before the next election
  • not be incarcerated for a felony
  • not be declared mentally incompetent by a court.
17
Register to vote in New Jersey
New Mexico

To register in New Mexico you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of the State of New Mexico
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not have been denied the right to vote by a court of law by reason of mental incapacity
  • if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed your sentence, including probation and parole.
17Statute indicates a person may register if they "will be a qualified elector at the date of the next ensuing general election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in New Mexico
New York

To register in New York you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of New York and the county, city, or village for at least 30 days before Election Day
  • be 18 years old by December 31 of the year you register and 18 years old by Election Day to vote (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed prison and parole (if still on parole, your voting rights may have been restored by the governor- check your rights restoration status here)
  • not currently be judged incompetent by a court
  • not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
16
Register to vote in New York
North Carolina

To register in North Carolina you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of North Carolina and the precinct in which you live for at least 30 days prior to Election Day
  • be 18 years old by the General Election (you may pre-register if you are 16 years old and if you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election)
  • if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed parole and probation
  • not be registered or vote in any other county or state.
16
Register to vote in North Carolina
North Dakota

North Dakota does not have voter registration, but to be eligible to vote you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years or older on Election Day
  • be a resident of North Dakota
  • be a resident of the precinct for at least 30 days immediately preceding an election
  • not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
  • be able to provide a North Dakota driver's license, non-driver ID card, or a tribal ID that shows your current North Dakota residential address and your date of birth.
North Dakota does not have voter registration. A resident may vote starting at age 18.Register to vote in North Dakota
Ohio

In order to register to vote in Ohio, you must meet these requirements:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by the next General Election
  • be a resident of Ohio for the 30 days before Election Day
  • not be incarcerated for a felony conviction (if you have been convicted of violating Ohio's election laws three or more times, you must receive a pardon in order to be eligible to vote)
  • not have been declared incompetent for voting purposes by a probate court.
17State registration form asks the person to certify they will "be at least 18 years of age on or before election day." To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Ohio
Oklahoma

To register in Oklahoma you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of the State of Oklahoma
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • have not been convicted of a felony, for which a period of time equal to the original sentence has not expired, or for which you have not been pardoned
  • not currently be under judgment as an incapacitated person, or a partially incapacitated person prohibited from registering to vote.
17.5
Register to vote in Oklahoma
Oregon

To register in Oregon you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Oregon
  • be 16 years old to register and 18 years old by Election Day
  • not be incarcerated for a felony conviction.
16
Register to vote in Oregon
Pennsylvania

To register in Pennsylvania you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States at 30 days before Election Day
  • be a resident of Pennsylvania and your election district at least 30 days before Election Day
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not be incarcerated after conviction for a felony (your voting rights are restored immediately after incarceration).
17Statute indicates a person may register if they "will be at least 18 years of age on the day of the next election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

To register in Rhode Island you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Rhode Island for the 30 days before Election Day
  • be 16 years old to register and 18 years old to vote
  • not be currently incarcerated in a correctional facility due to a felony conviction
  • not have been lawfully judged to be mentally incompetent.
16
Register to vote in Rhode Island
South Carolina

To register in South Carolina you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a resident of South Carolina, and live in the county and precinct where you are registering
  • not be confined in any public prison resulting from a conviction of a crime
  • never have been convicted of a felony or offense against Election Day laws, or if previously convicted, have served your entire sentence, including probation or parole, or have received a pardon for the conviction
  • not be under a court order declaring you mentally incompetent
17People who will be 18 by Election Day can register starting 120 days before the preceding primary's registration deadline.Register to vote in South Carolina
South Dakota

To register in South Dakota you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • reside in South Dakota
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not be currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction which included imprisonment, served or suspended, in an adult penitentiary system
  • not have been adjudged mentally incompetent by a court
17State registration form asks the person to certify they will "be at least 18 years of age on or before election day.". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in South Dakota
Tennessee

To register in Tennessee you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Tennessee
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • not be adjudicated incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction (or have been restored to legal capacity)
17Statute indicates a person may register if they "will be eighteen (18) years of age on or before the date of the next election after the person applies to register and who is otherwise eligible to register". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Tennessee
Texas

To register in Texas you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of the county in which the application for registration is made
  • be 17 years and 10 months old (you must be 18 to vote)
  • not have been convicted of a felony, or if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have fully discharged your punishment, including any incarceration, parole, supervision, period of probation, or be pardoned
  • have not been declared mentally incompetent by final judgment of a court of law
17.83A person must be at least 17 years and 10 months old to submit an application.Register to vote in Texas
Utah

To register in Utah you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • have resided in Utah for 30 days immediately before Election Day
  • be 18 years by Election Day (you may pre-register if you are 16)
  • not be currently incarcerated for a felony conviction
  • not be found to be mentally incompetent by a court of law
16
Register to vote in Utah
Vermont

To register in Vermont you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Vermont
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • have taken the following Oath: You solemnly swear (or affirm) that whenever you give your vote or suffrage, touching any matter that concerns the state of Vermont, you will do it so as in your conscience you shall judge will most conduce to the best good of the same, as established by the Constitution, without fear or favor of any person [Voters Oath, Vermont Constitution, Chapter II, Section 42]
17Statute indicates a person may register if they will be 18 or older "on election day". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Vermont
Virginia

To register in Virginia you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Virginia and of the precinct in which you want to vote
  • be 16 years old to register. If you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election
  • if convicted of a felony, have had your civil rights restored. Most people have their civil rights restored when they complete probation and parole. Click here to find your civil rights status.
  • not currently be declared incapacitated by a court.
16
Register to vote in Virginia
Washington

To register in Washington you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • be a legal resident of Washington State, your county, and precinct for 30 days immediately preceding Election Day
  • not be incarcerated or on community supervision for a felony.
16
Register to vote in Washington
West Virginia

To register in West Virginia you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • live in West Virginia and in the county in which you are registering
  • be 18 years old by Election Day. If you are 17, you may vote in a primary if you will turn 18 by the General Election
  • if you have been convicted of a felony, election bribery, or treason, you must have completed your sentence, including probation and parole
  • not be under conviction, probation, or parole for a felony, treason, or election bribery
  • not have been judged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction
17
Register to vote in West Virginia
Wisconsin

To register in Wisconsin you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be a resident of Wisconsin for at least 28 days
  • be 18 years old by Election Day
  • if you have been convicted of a felony, you must have completed parole and probation
  • not be incapable of understanding the objective of the elective process or be under guardianship
  • If you register to vote by mail, you must send a proof‐of‐residence document with your complete first and last name and residential address, such as a copy of your current and valid Wisconsin driver license or state ID card, real estate tax bill, utility bill no older than 90 days, bank statement, paycheck or paystub, or a check or document issued by any government agency. A full list of acceptable documents is available at elections.wi.gov. If you forget to send this document, you will likely have to register again at the polls on Election Day and show your proof of residency then.
17Statute indicates a person may register if they "will be 18 years old on or before election day". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Wisconsin
Wyoming

To register in Wyoming you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States
  • be 18 years old by the General Election
  • be a resident of the State of Wyoming
  • not be currently adjudicated mentally incompetent
  • Note that you must re-register to vote if you did not vote in the last General Election.
17Statute indicates a person may register if they "will be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the next general election". To register for the Nov. 5, 2024 election, they must be at least 17 now.Register to vote in Wyoming