Question 1
Question 1 of 24:
Who can vote in a presidential election?

  1. 1
    Anyone over the age of 18 who is a US citizen. In most states, you cannot be convicted of a felony. Additionally, you must be a resident of the state where you’re voting. You must register to vote in order to cast your ballot in every state and territory except North Dakota.[1]
    • The only state that doesn’t require you to register to vote is North Dakota.

Question 2
Question 2 of 24:
How do I register to vote?

  1. 1
    Go to to find out how to register in your state. You may be able to register online, but some states require you to fill out a voter registration form and mail it in. Then, watch for your voter registration card to come in the mail.[2]

    Did You Know? You need to update your voter registration if you move, even if you stay in the same city or state.

Question 3
Question 3 of 24:
What’s the deadline to register to vote?

  1. 1
    It depends on your state. Some states, like Texas, require you to register to vote at least 30 days before the election. However, some states allow you to register to vote on the day of the election. In general, it’s best to register to vote by October 10 so you know you’ll be eligible on election day. Check the laws in your area to be sure.[3]

Question 4
Question 4 of 24:
How do I find out if I’m already registered to vote?

  1. 1
    Check with or Enter your state and the requested personal information. These sites can help you find out if you’re registered in your state. Additionally, they may show you which party affiliations you have and where you can go to vote.[4]

Question 5
Question 5 of 24:
Do I have to register with a particular party?

  1. 1
    No, in most cases. Declaring a party affiliation on your registration is a personal choice in most states. However, you will need to choose a party when voting in the primary in most states. You have a chance to switch parties at each election, aside from run-offs.[5]
    • Most states require you to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both. If there’s a primary runoff, you can only vote in the runoff for the party you chose for the primaries.
    • In the general election, it’s okay to vote for a different party than the one you chose during the primary. Additionally, you can change parties for the next election if you like.

Question 6
Question 6 of 24:
What is a caucus?

  1. 1
    It's the way some states pick which candidates they want to run for president. During a caucus, voters in a city, county, or state, gather to vote on which candidate they prefer. Typically, caucus members discuss the candidates, then there’s a vote, which can be on paper or by show of hands. The caucus winners each receive a number of delegates from that state, which are used to determine which candidate is the presidential nominee.[6]
    • Iowa, Nevada, North Dakota, and Wyoming all have caucuses, along with American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Question 7
Question 7 of 24:
What are primaries?

  1. 1
    They're how most states let voters choose their preferred presidential candidate. Typically, primaries have an official election day, as well as early voting. Voters are allowed to cast a secret ballot, which may be on paper or electronic. Based on the results, each presidential candidate will receive a certain number of delegates from each state, which determines the presidential nominee.[7]
    • Each state has its primary on a different day, so check your state’s election day.

    Did You Know? The first Tuesday in March in a presidential election year is called Super Tuesday. Sixteen states have primaries on Super Tuesday, and it’s typically the day the front runners emerge.


Question 8
Question 8 of 24:
Can I change candidates after the primary?

Question 10
Question 10 of 24:
How does early voting work?

  1. 1
    Many states allow you to vote before election day. You’ll need to check the rules for your state though. Early voting windows also vary by state, but typically you’ll have a designated period of time when you can vote early that ends on the Friday before election day.[10]
    • You must be registered to vote to do early voting.
    • Some states don’t permit early voting, so check the rules for your state.

Question 11
Question 11 of 24:
How do I find my polling place?

  1. 1
    You can easily find it online. Visit and click on your state’s poll locator.[11] You can also look on your voter registration card or can check with your state or local election website.[12]

    Tip: During early voting, most places allow you to vote at any open polling location. Additionally, some areas allow you to vote at any polling location on election day, so check the laws in your area.


Question 12
Question 12 of 24:
Can I vote by mail?

  1. 1
    Yes, under certain circumstances. You may be eligible to vote by mail if you’re unable to get to a polling location, you’re going to be traveling on election day, or you’re currently away at college. Contact your state or territory’s election office to register to vote by mail.[13]
    • Each state has its own rules, and you’ll need to follow them exactly to make sure your vote counts.

Question 13
Question 13 of 24:
Do I need to bring my voter registration card to vote?

  1. 1
    No. Once you’re registered to vote, you’ll appear on a voter registry that the election workers can check. Bringing your voter registration card may help them find you faster, but it’s not necessary.[14]
    • Some states look you up using your photo ID and may not bother checking your voter registration card even if you do have it.

Question 14
Question 14 of 24:
Do I need to show a photo ID?

  1. 1
    It depends. In general, you will likely need to show a photo ID to vote for the first time, but this isn’t always the case. After your first time voting, some states require a photo ID, while others don’t. Check the laws for your area to be sure.[15]
    • Acceptable photo IDs include a state-issued driver’s license or identification card, passport, military ID card, or tribal photo ID card. Some states also allow other state-issued cards, like handgun licenses or hunting licenses.

    Tip: Voter ID laws are constantly changing, so always check before you go.

Question 15
Question 15 of 24:
How do I choose a candidate?

  1. 1
    That’s up to you! The best way to pick a candidate is to learn about what each candidate supports. Read a variety of articles from different sources that explain the candidate’s platform, experience, and campaign promises. Pick the candidate that represents your values.[16]
    • Visit the candidate’s website to learn more about them and watch speeches they’ve given.
    • Some websites offer quizzes that can help you match with a candidate whose beliefs match yours best.
    • Only get your information from credible sources, like verified news websites. Some sources may be biased, so they might misrepresent a candidate to sway you to vote their way.

Question 16
Question 16 of 24:
What do I do about people campaigning outside the polling place?

  1. 1
    Sometimes encountering them is inevitable. This can be a little stressful, as they’ll be giving campaign pitches and handing out materials for their candidate. You can choose to talk to them or walk away, but remember that your vote is your choice. If someone harasses you, report them to a poll worker or election judge immediately.[17]
    • Each polling site will have at least one election judge on site. Ask a poll worker to talk to them if you’re having a problem. Both poll workers and election judges should have name tags on so you can easily identify them.

Question 17
Question 17 of 24:
How do I fill out a ballot?

  1. 1
    It depends on which type of ballots your local election offices use. Many poll locations feature electronic ballots that allow you to select your choices using the buttons on the machine. However, you may also fill out a paper ballot using a pencil or marker. Some paper ballots require you to punch out a hole next to the candidate of your choice. Read the ballot closely and follow the directions.[18]
    • Poll workers will be happy to help you figure out how to fill out a ballot. However, they shouldn’t tell you who to vote for.

Question 18
Question 18 of 24:
Will my ballot be secret?

  1. 1
    Yes! You have the right to vote in secret, and no one will know your choices but you. If someone asks how you voted, it’s okay to tell them that you prefer not to discuss it. If you like, it’s also okay for you to tell who you chose.[19]
    • If someone tries to follow you into the election booth, tell the election judge or a poll worker immediately. If the person is a worker, notify them that you’re going to fill out an election complaint report with the Department of Justice.

Question 19
Question 19 of 24:
Can I bring someone to help me vote?

  1. 1
    Yes, but you may need to sign a form. You have the right to have someone assist you in the voting booth if you may need help filling out the ballot for some reason, such as a disability or language barrier. You may choose a friend or relative to help you, but the person can’t be your boss or a union official.[20]
    • For instance, your mom might be able to help you vote if you may have trouble reading your ballot because of dyslexia.
    • You’ll likely need to sign a form saying you needed help, and the person helping you may need to sign a form stating that they didn’t influence your vote.[21]

Question 20
Question 20 of 24:
What is a provisional ballot?

  1. 1
    Provisional ballots are used when it’s not clear if you’re allowed to vote. A poll worker will give you a provisional ballot if you may have an error in your voter registration or there’s a question about your documentation. You’ll submit this ballot, then a local election official will make sure you’re eligible to vote before your vote is officially counted.[22]
    • The purpose of provisional ballots is to make sure you aren’t denied your right to vote because of an error or oversight.
    • For instance, let’s say you registered to vote in a different county in the same state but have moved. In this case, you might not show up on the voter registration rolls. You may need to cast a provisional ballot so that election officials can verify that you’re registered.

Question 21
Question 21 of 24:
What should I do if I see something I think is wrong?

  1. 1
    Speak up if you believe something illegal or fraudulent is happening. Your first resource is the election judge. Report the issue to them and ask if you can fill out a form to report it. If you’re feeling intimidated, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or contact your local officials right away.[23]

Question 22
Question 22 of 24:
Where do you get election results?

  1. 1
    Local and national news broadcasts and websites will have the results. You can also check for election results if you prefer.[24]
    • After a presidential election, most news stations are going to broadcast the results live starting when polls begin to close. Additionally, they’ll post live updates online, so it’s easy to keep track of who is winning.
    • Election results technically aren’t finalized until they go through the Electoral College, which occurs in mid-December. However, there’s usually a projected winner by the day after the election, sometimes on election night.[25]

Question 23
Question 23 of 24:
What’s the election process after voting?

  1. 1
    Once the votes are tallied, a winner will be announced. They’ll also explain how many electoral votes each candidate is expected to receive based on the states they won. In the United States, candidates do not win by popular vote. They win by how many electoral votes they receive in the Electoral College.[26]

Question 24
Question 24 of 24:
What is the Electoral College?

  1. 1
    A slate of electors from all of the states who officially cast each state's vote. The number of electors a state gets depends on that state’s population, so highly populated states have more electoral votes. These electors typically cast their vote based on who won the election in their state, but this is not required. The candidate who gets more than 270 electoral votes, which is half of the available votes, wins the election.[27]
    • While electors don’t have to follow the results of their state’s election, it’s rare for them to vote differently.
    • The Electoral College was a compromise between the nation’s founding fathers. Some wanted a popular vote to determine who won the election, while others wanted congress to decide.[28]

    Did You Know? If there’s a tie after the Electoral College vote, the House of Representatives will pick the president from the top 3 candidates and the Senate will pick the Vice President from the remaining 2 candidates. This has only happened one time in United States history when John Quincy Adams won the presidency in 1824.[29]

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      • The new president is inaugurated on January 20, following the election.
      • Presidents are allowed to serve up to 2 terms, but some presidents aren’t elected to a second term.
      • Election laws may change in your area, so it’s important to review the laws prior to each election. For instance, your area may start requiring you to show a photo ID.


      • It’s illegal to cast someone else’s ballot or to interfere with how someone else is voting. This is called voter or election fraud and can result in criminal charges.[30]

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      Updated: August 25, 2021
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