{"id":351484,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:42","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide.html"},"modified":"2024-06-13T12:42:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T17:42:52","slug":"my-voting-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"My Voting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Guide to Voting in Federal Elections<\/h1>\n
Are you unsure if you have the right to vote? Will you be busy or away from home on Election Day? Do you know how to register to vote? What can and can’t you do at the polls?<\/blockquote>\r\n

Get answers to these voting questions and many more in this voter guide. It covers many of the FAQs associated with the voting process.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding your eligibility to vote is crucial for engaging in the democratic process. Whether you’re an experienced registered voter or a first-time voter, you may have questions about the voting process. Even if you’ve never voted in a county election or state election, make sure you know if and how you can take part in the general election. From in-person voting to military and overseas voting with mail ballots, there are many ways to exercise your voting rights.<\/p>\r\n\n

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    \n \n Am I Eligible to Vote?\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n Who Can Vote in the U.S.?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Learn the history of voting and how voting laws define who can vote<\/a> in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can Felons Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    People with felony convictions can vote in some states but not others. Felon voting laws by state<\/a>
    \nState articles:     California<\/a>, Florida<\/a>, New York<\/a>, Texas<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can Noncitizens Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    This article explains that noncitizens are not eligible to vote in federal elections, but certain jurisdictions allow them to vote in local elections. Can Noncitizens Vote in the United States?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can Homeless People Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    If you are experiencing homelessness, you are still eligible to vote. But, there are certain steps you must take to protect your voting rights. Learn more in this article on voting for the unhoused<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Are Mentally Disabled People Allowed to Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    If you have a mental disability and understand what it means to vote, you have voting rights. You can bring or ask for help when voting if you need it. Can people with mental disabilities vote?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can I Vote in My State’s Primary?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Every state has its own rules and procedures for primary elections. This is the place to start if you want to vote in primaries and want to learn more about eligibility. Voting in primaries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    \n \n I Am Unavailable or Away on Election Day\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n Military Voting Laws\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    If you are in the military and will be away from home during the election, there are special procedures to protect your right to vote. Learn more in this article on military voting laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Voting for U.S. Citizens Abroad\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    This article explains how U.S. citizens in other countries on Election Day can vote with an absentee ballot. Voting Abroad as a U.S. Citizen<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Voting While in College\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Many college students wonder if they can vote while away from home. The answer is yes, and this article explains how to protect your voting rights. Voting in College<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can I Vote If I Am Unavailable on Election Day?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    All states have procedures for early voting, absentee voting, or mail-in voting for people who can’t be at the polls on Election Day. Learn about what to do if you are unavailable to vote<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Absentee Voting Laws\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Why does the U.S. allow absentee voting? When did it start? Who is eligible? What are my state’s absentee voting laws? How do I register? Get answers about absentee voting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    \n \n Voting Registration\n <\/h3>\n \n \n \n Am I Registered to Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Find out whether you are registered to vote and get answers to other questions about voter registration. Am I Registered To Vote? How To Find Out<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Same-Day Voter Registration\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Learn what states offer same-day voter registration, the requirements for registering on Election Day, and more in our article on same-day voter registration<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n What Is Automatic Voter Registration?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Opt-in to vote at your Department of Motor Vehicles through automatic voter registration. What Is Automatic Voter Registration?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can I Still Vote If My Address Changed?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Learn whether you need to register again, what to do if you are voting from college, and more in this article on voting after an address change<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Do I Need a REAL ID to Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Every state has its own identification card requirements. A standard driver’s license is generally an acceptable ID card. Learn whether you need a REAL ID to vote in your state<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    Polling places are often confusing. This article helps you understand what you can and can’t do at polling stations<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n I’m in College. How Can I Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    I moved for college. Where should I vote? Do the voter laws in my home state or my college state apply to me? These are some unique questions college students face when trying to vote. Get answers in this article about voting in college<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n I Have a Disability. What Do I Need to Do to Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Learn how a disability diagnosis affects how you vote and how states differ in accommodations. Voting Accommodations for Those With Disabilities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can Someone Help Me Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    It is possible to help another vote \u2014 or to get help at the polls. Read this article to find out more about getting help voting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can I Drive People to the Polls?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    "I want to offer rides to people to get to the polls. Can I do that?" This article explains whether offering rides to the polls is legal, including the legality of carpooling. Can I Drive People to the Polls or Carpool?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can I Leave Blanks on a Voting Ballot?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Learn whether you can cast a ballot without responding to certain topics by leaving some spaces blank. Although not recommended, leaving blanks on a ballot is legal. Can I Leave Blanks on a Voting Ballot?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n What Are Provisional Ballots?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    Can I cast a provisional ballot? It depends. Provisional ballot laws vary from state to state. This article explains what provisional ballots are when they might be used, and how they work. Provisional Ballot: How To Make Your Vote Count on Election Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n What’s a Protest Vote?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    A protest vote is when people use their vote to show their discontent. This article explains what a protest vote is and how it happens. What Is a Protest Vote?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Can I Abstain From Voting?\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    If you can vote but choose not to, you abstain from voting. Learn more about what is abstention from voting and how it works. What Does Abstention from Voting Mean?<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n Federal Voter ID Requirement: The HAVA\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h4>\n \n

    The Help America Vote Act imposes voter identification requirements. Learn who the HAVA protects, what IDs are acceptable, and more in our article about The Help America Vote Act of 2002<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

    About FindLaw’s Voting Resources<\/h2>\r\n

    FindLaw’s voting articles can give you the information you need to vote on Election Day.\u00a0Learn more about us<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

    If you have more questions about voter information, contact your local election office or visit your state’s secretary of state’s website. If you are voting in person, election officials give you basic instructions.<\/p>\r\n

    If you believe someone has violated your voting rights, contact a\u00a0voting rights lawyer<\/a>\u00a0right away.<\/p>\r\n

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