Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3

Elections, at all levels of government, can be extraordinarily close. Your vote is crucial to determining the trajectory of our nation and your community.

• Between September 2024 and September 2025, 34 elections across the country were decided by 10 votes or less.
• In 2020, only six votes(opens in new tab) separated the candidates in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District.
• In 2016, only 16 votes(opens in new tab) separated the top two primary candidates for Arizona's 5th Congressional district. (A recount later expanded the lead to 27 votes.)
• And, our nation's election history has seen many races determined by a single vote(opens in new tab).

Your vote matters — and so do the votes of your family, neighbors, and friends!

Under the U.S. Constitution, federal and state elections are administered by states and local agencies. Each election office sets its own voting procedures, which is why voting rules vary by jurisdiction.

With ongoing changes to voting requirements and processes, it’s important you stay updated and informed on the specific provisions of your local election office.

• Check your voter registration or contact your state or local election office for the most up-to-date information, including how to obtain a mail-in ballot, voter registration deadlines, early voting locations, and where you can vote in-person.
• If you have any concerns about voting, or encounter any problems while trying to vote, visit 866ourvote.org, or call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

In many states and U.S. territories, voters have two options:

1. Obtain a mail-in ballot and return it by mail or at an official drop-off location.

1. 1. How to get a mail-in ballot:
      1. All states offer absentee voting (also known as “vote-by-mail” or “mail-in voting”), although rules on eligibility and process differ by state.
         • In some states, you must first request an application, and fill it out and return it, before you can receive your mail-in ballot.
         • Some states will automatically send mail-in ballots to all registered voters.
      2. If you need to request an absentee ballot, do not wait for the mail-in ballot request deadline. Request your ballot early so that you have enough time to receive the ballot, fill it out, and mail it back in time for it to be eligible to be counted.
      3. Learn about mail-in ballot requirements for your state.
   2. Correctly fill out your mail-in ballot:
      1. Use only the official ballot you received.
      2. Read all instructions before you begin marking your ballot.
      3. Fill in the ovals or squares in the manner requested. Do not make notes, drawings, or other stray marks on your ballot. Doing so could invalidate (“spoil”) your ballot. It’s also important to use the correct ink color to avoid having your ballot rejected. If you have questions, contact your state or local election office.
      4. Sign your name in the correct place(s) and be sure to properly date the ballot in the correct place if required. Some mail-in ballots require more than one signature, and there are many laws around signatures that could disqualify your ballot. Missing signatures are one of the most common reasons for mail-in ballots to be rejected. Double check that you have signed and dated your ballot in the correct places and that your signature is consistent with the signature you used to register to vote.
   3. Mail in your ballot before the deadline:
      1. You may need to mail your ballot before Nov. 3 in order for it to be counted. Some states may require your ballot to be received by Nov. 3.
      2. The U.S. Postal Service recommends you send in your ballot at least seven days before the specified deadline.
      3. You must use the envelope provided when mailing back your ballot. Seal the envelope.
      4. Affix the correct postage amount, if postage is needed.
   4. Or, deposit your mail-in ballot in an official ballot drop box or polling place:
      1. In many states, you can personally bring your ballot to locations designated by your election office.
      2. Special ballot drop boxes are offered in some states. You must deposit your ballot in the official drop box before the deadline set by your election office, which may be when polls close on Election Day.

2. Vote in-person.

• Check to see if your state or U.S. territory offers early in-person voting.
• States may have changed or reduced polling locations since the previous election. If you choose to vote in-person on Nov. 3, confirm your polling location with your election office before you head to the polls.
• Check if you need to bring a specific form of identification. (Two-thirds of states require ID.)

If you live outside of the United States, please visit the U.S. Vote Foundation for resources.

For specific details on who can and cannot vote, check your state or local election office.

Every state and U.S. territory, except North Dakota, requires voters to register.

Voter registration deadlines vary by jurisdiction, with some states allowing voters to register on Election Day, while other jurisdictions require registration weeks before Election Day.

• Use Vote.gov’s registration resources or contact your state or local election office to check if you’re registered and to see the registration deadline.

The National Mail Voter Registration Form is available in different languages, including Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Yup’ik, and more.

In this election, everyone will be voting for who will represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Additionally, 33 Senate seats, 36 governorships, and many city mayors, state representatives, and state and local measures are on the ballot.

• Check your state or local election office to see if your sample ballot is available online or can be requested.

How sample ballots are provided varies by election office.

• If you're registered to vote, many will mail you a sample ballot and voter information guide about 2–5 weeks before Election Day.
• Some may make sample ballots available at polling locations, while others publish them in local newspapers.

Voter information guides include candidate statements and descriptions of ballot initiatives. Voters can learn more through resources such as Ballotpedia.org and the opinion section of your local newspapers.

With the anticipated large number of mail-in ballots, election results are unlikely to be available as promptly as we’ve come to expect.

Some states begin counting mail-in ballots prior to Election Day and may have their results shortly after polls close.

But many states may need days or weeks after Election Day before they are able to report results. In some states, election officials are permitted to only begin counting ballots on Election Day.

Under the U.S. Constitution, federal and state elections are administered by local election offices.

Each election office sets its own rules and provides its own voting information for their jurisdiction.

• Use USA.gov’s Voting and Elections resources or the federal voter tool, Vote.gov, to find additional information offered by your local election office
• Or contact your state or local election office.