A Voter’s Guide

to Federal Elections

U.S. El e ction A ss i s ta n c e C ommi ss ion

1

A Voter’s Guide 

to Federal elections

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) has 

developed this guide to help voters successfully navigate the Federal elections process, from registering to 

vote to casting a ballot on Election Day. In addition 

to the basics of ballot-casting, this guide includes 

information on eligibility and early voting, as well as 

the registration and voting process for military and 

civilians living abroad, and polling place services 

that make voting more accessible. 

Am I eligible to vote? 

At a minimum, you must be 18 

years of age and a U.S. citizen to be eligible to vote. 

States may also have 

their own requirements, 

which are outlined in 

the “State Instructions” 

section of the National 

Mail Voter Registration 

Form (available online at 

www.eac.gov). State and local 

election offices can also provide 

information on voter eligibility.

How do I register to vote? 

You may register to vote by completing and submitting the National Mail Voter Registration Form.∗

 This 

form may also be used to report a name or address 

change to the voter registration office or to register 

with a political party. The National Mail Voter Registration Form can be downloaded on the EAC’s Web 

site at www.eac.gov or the Web sites of state and local 

A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 1

∗

North Dakota, Wyoming and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam) do not accept this form. 

New Hampshire accepts it only as a request for a state absentee voter 

mail-in registration form.
2 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

election offices. You can also obtain the form in person from the following public facilities: 

•	 state or local election offices

•	 the department of motor vehicles

•	 public assistance agencies

•	 state funded programs that serve people with

disabilities

•	 any public facility a state has designated as a voter

registration agency (such as a public library, public 

school, and city or county clerk’s office). 

You may also register to vote by using your state’s 

voter registration form.

What about military service members 

and overseas citizens? 

To register to vote, members of the military and overseas citizens may use the Federal Post Card Application 

(FPCA), available from the Federal Voting Assistance 

Program’s (FVAP) Web site at www.fvap.gov. All states 

and territories accept the FPCA as an application for 

both registration and an absentee ballot. Printed copies of the form are also available at U.S. embassies, 

military bases and consular offices. Voting Assistance 

Officers at those sites can provide any information 

or assistance needed to complete the form. You may 

also contact FVAP by telephone at (800) 438–8683 

or e-mail at vote@fvap.ncr.gov if you have any questions or would like additional information on how to 

register to vote.

What if I am registering to vote for the 

first time and I register by mail?

If you are voting for the first time in your state and 

are submitting a voter registration form through the 

mail, Federal law may require you to show proof of 

identification the first time you vote. This proof of 
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 3

identification includes the following (or if voting by 

mail, a COPY of the following): 

•	 A current and valid photo identification; OR

•	 A current utility bill, bank statement, government

check, paycheck or government document that 

shows your name and address. 

Federal law does not require you to show proof of 

identification at the polling place or when voting by 

mail if 1) you provided COPIES of the above with your 

voter registration form, 2) your voter registration form 

has been verified by an election official, or 3) you 

are entitled by Federal law to vote by absentee ballot. 

Please note that individual states may have additional 

voter identification requirements.

Did You Know...?

Your state may require voters to present identification at the 

polling place even if they meet the Federal proof of identification requirement. Contact your local election office for 

additional information.

When can I register to vote? 

You must register by your state’s registration deadline 

to ensure voting eligibility. Each state has its own 

registration deadline. You can find this information 

in the “State Instructions” section of the National 

Mail Voter Registration Form at www.eac.gov, or by 

contacting your state or local election office.

Important: Call your state or local election office 

at least five (5) weeks before an election to learn if 

you are registered to vote and what to do if you are 

not. Do not leave it for the last minute; otherwise you 

may not be able to vote in that election.

ABSENTEE VOTING

Voters who cannot go to their polling place on Election Day can vote an absentee ballot. Each state 

establishes its own rules and procedures for absentee 
4 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

voting. For example, some states require voters to 

provide a reason for why they cannot vote on Election Day, while others offer “no-excuse” voting that 

allows any eligible citizen to vote absentee. States also 

have different deadlines for requesting and submitting absentee ballots. If you need to vote absentee, 

contact your state or local election office as soon as 

possible to make sure you do not miss the deadline 

for requesting and returning an absentee ballot.

Important: After you have requested and received 

your absentee ballot, read its instructions carefully to 

avoid any errors that may result in your ballot not being 

counted. If you return your absentee ballot by mail, 

make sure to place the correct postage amount on the 

return envelope to prevent any delays in the delivery 

of your ballot.

MILITARY AND OVERSEAS VOTERS– 

HOW DO I VOTE?

Military service members and citizens living abroad 

can vote in Federal elections by filling out the Federal 

Post Card Application (FPCA). This single form allows 

overseas and military voters to register and request a 

ballot at the same time. 

An online version of the FPCA is available from the 

Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) Web site 

(www.fvap.gov). The online form must be mailed in an 

envelope with proper postage, or using the FVAP’s prepaid return envelope. All states and territories accept 

the FPCA. Alternatively, overseas voters may also send 

a signed written request for an absentee ballot to their 

local election office.

States and territories allow voters to register and 

request an absentee ballot by submitting a single FPCA 

during the election year. If you are already registered 

you should still submit an FPCA to request a ballot, 

ideally early in the election year.
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 5

You may also contact FVAP by telephone at (800) 

438–8683 or e-mail at vote@fvap.ncr.gov if you have 

any questions or would like additional information 

about how to register and vote absentee.

WHAT IS EARLY VOTING?

Some states allow voters to cast a ballot before Election 

Day. Early voters can cast their vote by mail or in person 

at the local election official’s office or at another location 

designated by the local election official. 

Early voting dates and times vary among states. 

For information about whether your state offers early 

voting, and when it is offered, contact your state or 

local election office.

WHERE DO I VOTE–WHERE IS MY 

POLLING PLACE?

Voters are assigned to a polling place based on the 

address they provided when they registered to vote. 

To find out the location of your polling place, contact 

your state or local election office. 

Important: Update your voter registration 

information each time you move.
6 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

WHAT IS A PROVISIONAL BALLOT?

Voters whose eligibility to vote is in question—either 

because their name does not appear on the official list 

of voters for their polling place, or a question is raised 

about the voter’s eligibility—are offered a provisional 

ballot. In both cases, voters have a right to cast a provisional ballot, provided they declare they are eligible 

and registered to vote in that jurisdiction. The provisional ballot is then counted if the appropriate state 

or local election official determines that the voter is 

indeed eligible to vote under state law. 

Did You Know...?

Federal law requires states to provide a “free access system” 

that allows voters to check the status of their provisional 

ballots. Contact your state or local election office for more 

information about your state’s system. 

HOW CAN I BECOME A POLL WORKER?

Poll workers are central to ensuring smooth, fair and 

accurate elections. They prepare the precinct by setting 

up voting equipment, greeting voters, verifying registrations and providing voters with appropriate ballots. 

At the end of the day, poll workers close the precinct 

and prepare election materials for delivery or personally 

deliver the materials to the elections office. 

Poll workers typically must be registered to vote in the 

precinct or county they wish to serve. However, some 

states have recently changed their rules to allow college 

students to work at the polls near their school even if 

they are not registered to vote in that jurisdiction. 

To find out more about how to become a poll worker, 

contact your state or local election office. 
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 7

ACCESSIBILITY FOR VOTERS

WITH DISABILITIES

Polling places are equipped to accommodate the 

needs of voters with disabilities by providing clearly 

marked parking spaces, accessible entrances and 

ramps, and well-marked routes pointing the way to 

voting locations. 

Polling places also have voting equipment that 

ensures every voter is given the same opportunity for 

access, participation, privacy and independence.

If you have questions about the accessibility of your 

polling place, or need information about voting equipment for individuals with disabilities, contact your 

state or local election office. 

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE

Your state or local election officials may provide assistance to those with limited ability to read, speak, 

write, or understand English. These efforts may be 

voluntary or required by Federal law. Language assistance may include equipping polling places with voting materials (such as ballots and voting instructions) 

in other languages, staffing polling places with bilingual poll workers, and providing voting information 

online in languages other than English. Contact 

your state or local election office to learn more about 

language assistance in your area.

Did You Know...?

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission provides information for voters on its Web site in Chinese, Japanese, 

Korean, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese. The Commission has also issued comprehensive glossaries of 

voting terms in these six languages to assist voters and 

election officials. 
8 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

MAY I REQUEST ASSISTANCE TO VOTE?

Under Federal law, voters that require assistance to 

vote by reason of blindness, disability or inability to 

read or write may bring an individual, such as a friend 

or relative, to assist them in voting.∗

 A poll worker may 

also provide voting assistance. State election laws may 

include additional provisions governing such assistance, so be sure to contact your state or local election 

office for additional information. 

Did You Know...?

Some states offer “curbside voting” for voters who are not 

able to easily leave their cars. During curbside voting, a poll 

worker brings all necessary materials, including a ballot, to 

the voter’s car. Check with your state or local election office 

to see if curbside voting is available in your jurisdiction. 

VOTING EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE

First-time voters, voters with disabilities, and voters at 

polling places where new equipment has been introduced may require assistance with voting equipment. 

∗

Federal law prohibits voters from receiving voting assistance from 

the voter’s employer or agent of the employer or officer or agent of 

the voter’s union.
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 9

If you need help using voting machines, ask a poll 

worker for assistance. Poll workers are there to provide 

voters with instructions and demonstrations in using 

voting equipment.

HOW DO I REPORT A PROBLEM OR FILE 

A COMPLAINT?

If you experience a problem at a polling place or with 

voting procedures in your jurisdiction, you may report 

the problem or file a complaint. For information on 

complaint procedures in your state, contact your state 

or local election office. 

About the U.S. Election Assistance 

Commission (EAC)

This publication was prepared by the EAC, an independent Federal agency established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). The EAC is charged with 

developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, 

adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and 

serving as a national clearinghouse of information 

about election administration. The EAC also accredits 

testing laboratories and certifies voting systems, audits

the use of HAVA funds, and maintains the National 

Mail Voter Registration Form developed in accordance 

with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
10 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

VOTERS’ CHECKLIST – Things to do 

before Election Day

❏ Confirm you are registered to vote. Update your 

registration if information such as address, name 

or political affiliation has changed.

❏ Know how and when to apply for an absentee ballot if you are unable to get to your polling place on 

Election Day. 

❏ Know your options for early voting.

❏ Know the voter identification requirements in your 

state before you attempt to vote.

❏ Familiarize yourself with the voting device used in 

your jurisdiction. Learn how the device is accessible 

to voters with disabilities.

❏ Know which polling place you are assigned to and 

how to get there.

❏ Learn what assistance is available in languages other 

than English.

❏ Know what time the polls open and close.

❏ Become acquainted with the candidates and issues 

on the ballot.

❏ Consider becoming a poll worker in your community. Call your local election office to learn about 

poll worker requirements. 
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 11

VOTER RESOURCES

U.S. Election Assistance Commission: A comprehensive resource of information on the Federal elections 

process. Citizens can register to vote by downloading the 

National Mail Voter Registration Form from the EAC’s 

Web site. Tel.: (866) 747–1471 / Web site: www.eac.gov

Federal Voting Assistance Program: Voting resources for 

uniformed service members and overseas citizens, including the Federal Post Card Application, a voter registration 

form for citizens living abroad. Tel.: (800) 438–8683 / Web 

site: www.fvap.gov

U.S. Department of Justice: Information about Federal 

voting rights laws. To report problems related to ballot 

access, including voter discrimination, call the Voting 

Section at (800) 253–3931. To report problems related to 

voting fraud or voter intimidation, you may contact the 

Department’s main switchboard at (202) 514–2000 to 

be directed to the appropriate Federal law enforcement 

agency. Tel.: (202) 514–2000 / Web site: www.usdoj.gov

Federal Election Commission: A clearinghouse 

of information on Federal campaign finance. Tel.: 

(800) 424–9530 / Web site: www.fec.gov
12 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

State Election Office 

Contact Information

*as of August 15, 2008

Alabama

Tel.: (800) 274–8683

Web site: www.sos.state.al.us/elections/

Alaska

Tel.: (907) 465–4611

Web site: www.elections.alaska.gov/

Arizona

Tel.: (602) 542–8683

Web site: www.azsos.gov/election/

Arkansas

Tel.: (800) 482–1127

Web site: www.sosweb.state.ar.us/elections.html

California

Tel.: (800) 345–VOTE

Web site: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/

Colorado

Tel.: (303) 894–2200

Web site: www.elections.colorado.gov

Connecticut

Tel.: (860) 509–6100

Web site: www.ct.gov/sots/site/default.asp

Delaware

Tel.: (302) 739–4277

Web site: www.elections.delaware.gov/default.shtml

District of Columbia

Tel.: (202) 727–2525

Web site: www.dcboee.org/

Florida

Tel.: (866) 308–6739

Web site: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/

Georgia

Tel.: (404) 656–2871

Web site: www.sos.ga.gov/Elections/
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 13

Guam

Tel.: (671) 477–9791

Web site: www.guamelection.org

Hawaii

Tel.: (808) 453–8683

Web site: http://hawaii.gov/elections/

Idaho

Tel.: (208) 334–2852

Web site: http://www.idahovotes.gov/

Illinois

Tel.: (217) 782–4141 (Springfield)

Tel.: (312) 269–7960 (Chicago)

Web site: www.elections.state.il.us/

Indiana

Tel.: (317) 232–3939

Web site: www.in.gov/sos/elections/

Iowa

Tel.: (515) 281–0145

Web site: www.sos.state.ia.us/elections/index.html

Kansas

Tel.: (800) 262–8683 

Web site: www.kssos.org/elections/elections.html

Kentucky

Tel.: (502) 564–3490

Web site: www.elect.ky.gov/

Louisiana

Tel.: (800) 883–2805

Web site: www.geauxvote.com

Maine

Tel.: (207) 624–7736

Web site: www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/ 

Maryland

Tel.: (800) 222–8683 

Web site: www.elections.state.md.us/index.html

Massachusetts

Tel.: (800) 462–8683

Web site: www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleidx.htm
14 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

Michigan

Tel.: (517) 373–2540

Web site: www.michigan.gov/vote

Minnesota

Tel.: (877) 600–8683

Web site: www.sos.state.mn.us/home/index.asp?page=4

Mississippi

Tel.: (800) 829–6786

Web site: www.sos.state.ms.us/elections/elections.asp

Missouri

Tel.: (800) 669–8683

Web site: www.sos.mo.gov/elections/

Montana

Tel.: (888) 884–8683

Web site: http://sos.mt.gov/elb/Voter_Information.asp

Nebraska

Tel.: (402) 471–2555 

Web site: www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2008/index.html

Nevada

Tel.: (775) 684–5705

Web site: http://sos.state.nv.us/elections/

New Hampshire

Tel.: (603) 271–3242

Web site: www.sos.nh.gov/electionsnew.html

New Jersey

Tel.: (609)292–3760

Web site: www.njelections.org/

New Mexico

Tel.: (800) 477–3632

Web site: www.sos.state.nm.us/sos–elections.html

New York

Tel.: (800) 367–8683

Web site: www.elections.state.ny.us/

North Carolina

Tel.: (866) 522–4723

Web site: www.sboe.state.nc.us/Default.aspx?s=0
A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections 15

North Dakota

Tel.: (800) 352–0867 

Web site: www.nd.gov/sos/electvote/

Ohio

Tel.: (877) 767–6446

Web site: www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections.aspx

Oklahoma

Tel.: (405) 521–2391

Web site: www.ok.gov/~elections/

Oregon

Tel.: (503) 986–1518

Web site: www.sos.state.or.us/elections/

Pennsylvania

Tel.: (717) 787–5280

Web site: www.votespa.com/

Puerto Rico

Tel.: (787) 758–3333

Web site: www.ceepur.org/

Rhode Island

Tel.: (401) 222–2345

Web site: www.elections.state.ri.us/

South Carolina

Tel.: (803) 734–9060

Web site: www.scvotes.org/ 

South Dakota

Tel.: (605) 773–3537

Web site: www.sdsos.gov/electionsvoteregistration/

electionsvoteregistration_overview.shtm

Tennessee

Tel.: (615) 741–7956

Web site: www.tennessee.gov/sos/election/index.htm

Texas

Tel.: (800) 252–8683

Web site: www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/index.shtml

Utah

Tel.: (800) 995–8683

Web site: www.elections.utah.gov/voterinformation.html
Vermont

Tel.: (802) 828–2464

Web site: http://vermont–elections.org/

Virginia

Tel.: (800) 552–9745

Web site: www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/

Washington

Tel.: (800) 448–4881

Web site: www.secstate.wa.gov/elections/

West Virginia

Tel.: (304) 558–6000

Web site: www.wvsos.org/elections/main.htm

Wisconsin

Tel.: (608) 266–8005

Web site: http://elections.state.wi.us/

Wyoming

Tel.: (307) 777–7186

Web site: http://soswy.state.wy.us/Elections/Elections.aspx

16 A Voter’s Guide to Federal Elections

U.S. Election Assistance Commission 

1201 New York Ave, NW 

● Suite 300 

● Washington 

● DC 20005 

866-747-1471 (toll free) 

● HAVAinfo@eac.gov

● www.eac.gov