Voter Registration After Moving States

Eligibility and Deadlines:

• Eligibility: To register to vote in the U.S., you generally must be:
  • A U.S. citizen.
  • A resident of the state and county/municipality where you register.
  • At least 18 years old on or before Election Day (some states allow pre-registration for 16/17-year-olds).
  • Not currently serving a sentence for a felony conviction (rules vary significantly by state regarding restoration of voting rights).
  • Not declared mentally incompetent by a court.
• Residency Requirements: Most states require you to reside in the state for a certain period (often around 30 days) before you can register or vote there. Check your new state's specific requirement.
• Registration Deadlines: Each state sets its own deadline by which you must register (or update your registration) to be eligible to vote in an upcoming election. These deadlines can range from Election Day itself (in states with Same-Day Registration) to as early as 30 days before the election. It's crucial to check the deadline for your new state well in advance of any election.

How to Register or Update Your Registration:

When you move to a new state, you must complete a new voter registration application for that state. Common methods include:

• Online: Most states offer online voter registration through their official state election website. This often requires a state-issued driver's license or ID card for verification.
• By Mail: You can download the National Mail Voter Registration Form (accepted in most states except NH, ND, WY, WI) or a state-specific form from the state election website, fill it out, and mail it to your local county election office.
• In Person:
  • At your local county election office.
  • Often possible when applying for or updating your driver's license/state ID at the DMV/MVC (under the National Voter Registration Act, also known as the "Motor Voter" law).
  • At other designated government agencies (like public assistance offices).
  • At voter registration drives often held by community groups.

Important Considerations:

• Update Promptly: Don't wait until an election is imminent. Register or update your registration as soon as you meet the state's residency requirement after moving.
• Confirm Your Registration: After registering, most states allow you to check your registration status online via the state election website to ensure it's active and accurate. You might also receive a voter registration card by mail.
• Party Affiliation: When registering, you may be asked to declare a political party affiliation (e.g., Democrat, Republican, Independent/Unaffiliated). This primarily affects your ability to vote in primary elections, as many states have "closed" or "semi-closed" primaries where only registered party members (or sometimes independents) can vote for that party's candidates. Rules vary by state. You can usually change your party affiliation later if needed.
• Canceling Old Registration: While not always legally required, it's good practice to notify your previous county election office that you have moved out of state so they can remove you from their voter rolls. This helps maintain accurate voter lists. Some states may automatically cancel your old registration when you register in a new state, but confirming is best. Voting in more than one state is illegal.