Tuesday is the annual National Voter Registration Day, which is changing voting laws in some areas of the US this year.
Held annually on the fourth Tuesday of September, the event is designed to be a celebration of democracy and encourages Americans to vote and make sure they can participate in the political process.
With crucial elections just weeks away, mid-term elections will be held on Tuesday, November 8. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are being contested, while 34 of the 100 seats in the Senate are being contested.
Voters decide which candidates fill vacancies. They are called midterms because they are in the middle of a president's four-year term.
This year, voters in several states will face new rules about who, when and how exactly they can participate.
Renewed focus on election laws Former President Donald Trump said the 2020 election had been "stolen" and that President Joe Biden used fake mail-in ballots to win office.
Every state in the US except one requires citizens to vote. Although eligible voters must show identification to vote, North Dakota is the only state that does not require registration.
States have different laws regarding registration requirements and whether voters can register online. To check your state's requirements and fill out an online form if you live in an eligible state, visit: https://vote.gov/
Scroll down to find out if voters can register online in your state and how to vote there. (Washington, DC is also on the list.)
Another Way To Registration
Other methods of registration are available at the municipal clerk's office or by mail in the appropriate state form in English and Spanish and at the US Election Assistance Commission website: https://www.eac.gov/.
Voting methods:
Some 35 states, as well as Washington, D.C., allow voters to mail in their ballots, although some need a special excuse to do so.
Another option for voters is ballot boxes that allow Americans to submit signed and sealed ballots in some states. This method of selection has become widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voting Practices by State
ALABAMA
Allows same-day registration: No
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: Yes
Ballot drop boxes offered: No
Early voting: No
Voter ID: Requested
ALASKA
ARIZONA
ARKANSAS
CALIFORNIA
COLORADO
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Requested
CONNECTICUT
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: Yes
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: No
Voter ID: Requested
DELAWARE
Allows same-day registration: No
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: Yes
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Requested
FLORIDA
Allows same-day registration: No
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Required
GEORGIA
Allows same-day registration: No
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Required
HAWAII
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: All-mail elections, in-person optional
Voter ID: Requested
IDAHO
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Requested
ILLINOIS
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Not required
INDIANA
Allows same-day registration: No
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: Yes
Ballot drop boxes offered: No
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Required
IOWA
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: No
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Requested
KANSAS
Allows same-day registration: Yes
Online registration available: Yes
Requires an excuse to vote by mail: No
Ballot drop boxes offered: Yes
Early voting: In-person early voting
Voter ID: Required