In 2011, several state legislatures passed new voter identification and election laws that could potentially disenfranchise many voters in the General Elections. Please read our Voter Suppression Fact Sheet to get more information about passage of voter suppression laws. In addition to general election information, you will find information about all passed, proposed, and pending voter suppression legislation in each state. This is the most current information available, but could possibly change depending on when certain voter and election laws are implemented and if any pending legislation passes and is implemented before the Election Day. However, the requirements that are listed here for each state will most likely be requirements that will apply for the November 6, 2012 General Election.
In addition to voter registration drives, your feminist group can get paid to serve as county poll workers on Election Day. Learn more about being a pollworker in your state by visiting your Secretary of State's elections website or calling your county officials.
Remember, students have a right to register and vote where they go to school even if you do not intend to reside there permanently. If you have any problems, call a Campus Organizer at the Feminist Majority Foundation for assistance - (703) 522-2214 (East Coast) or (310) 556-2500 (West Coast).
ALASKA
Voter Registration Deadline: October 7, 2012 is the voter registration deadline for the general election. July 29, 2012 is the deadline for the Alaska primary election on August 28, 2012.
Voter Registration Drive: In order to conduct a voter registration guide, one must become a trained registrar. Trainings are available at County Clerk's offices. Once one becomes a registrar, they will receive 200 or more voter registration forms with stamped return envelopes. The date a registrar signs a voter registration form will be when the form is validated (instead of the date it is received by the clerk's office).
Where to Register: Download the Alaska State voter registration application (PDF). County elections offices, DMV, Health and Social Services, Community and Economic Development, recruitment offices of the armed forces of the United States are all locations where you can pick up a voter application.
Voter Identification Requirements:
- If you register to vote in person you must bring a state driver's license, state ID card, current and valid photo identification, birth certificate, passport, or hunting or fishing license If the registration official knows the identity of the applicant they may waive the ID requirement.
- Registering by mail or fax: If you are registering for the first time to must bring one of the following forms of ID on Election Day:
- Current valid photo Identification
- Driver's license
- Passport
- State ID card
- Birth certificate
- If you are registering outside of Alaska you must provide a current Alaskan driver's license, hunting or fishing license, student loan document, proof of employment in Alaska, or military leave and earning statement.
Early Voting: Early and in-person absentee voting begins 15 days prior to an election and continues through Election Day at regional office buildings. Must vote in the jurisdiction where the voter is registered.
Polling Hours: The polling place hours are from 7:00am to 8:00pm . To find your polling location, visit: https://webapp.state.ak.us/electionsLookup/JSP/VoterLookupMain.jsp
Voter ID Requirements: Bring your signed voter ID card, or any other signed ID that will allow the election worker to verify your signature. Examples are: driver's license, military ID, Indian ID, fish and game license, state ID card, passport, or senior citizen ID card. A picture ID is not necessary. You may also present a recent utility bill or pay check, government check or bank statement, as long as it has your name and current address.
Alaska uses a number of voting systems, including hand-counted paper ballots, optically scanned paper ballots and direct recording electronic voting machines with verified paper audit trails.
State Elections Office
Mailing Address:
PO Box 110017
Juneau , AK 99811-0017
Physical Address:
Court Plaza Building
240 Main Street, 4th Floor
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: 907-465-4611
Toll free: (866) 952-8683
Fax: (907) 465-3203
Web: http://www.elections.alaska.gov/index.php
ARIZONA
Voter Registration Deadline: Registration forms must be received by October 8, 2012.
Voter Registration Drive: To conduct a voter registration drive, you must be a registered voter but not necessarily of the state of Arizona. According to Arizona law, completed forms must be turned in to county elections office within 5 days after collection. For more information contact the voter outreach coordinator at (602) 364-4700 or by email.
Where to Register: You may apply to register to vote online, by mail or in person. Download (PDF) a registration form and mail it one of the designated state locations. Arizona has ONLINE voter registration. Only residents with a valid Arizona driver's license may register online. Click here to register to vote online. The elector will get a confirmation number upon completing this process to validate the transaction.
Voter Suppression Legislation: Proof of Citizenship: Proposition 200 (PDF)
Voter Identification Requirements: On Election Day voters must present the proper voter identification in order to cast a ballot.
Below are the permissible forms of photo identification. Voters need to submit only ONE of the following:
- Valid Arizona driver's license
- Valid Arizona non-operating identification license
- Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
- Valid United States federal, state, or local government issued identification
Below are permissible forms of non-photo identification. Voters must present TWO of the following:
- Utility bill of the voter that is dated within ninety days of the date of the election. A utility bill may be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cellular phone, or cable television.
- Bank or credit union statement that is dated within ninety days of the date of election.
- Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration
- Indian census card
- Property tax statement of the voter's residence
- Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification
- Recorder's Certificate
- Valid United States federal, state, or local government issued identification, including a voter registration card issued by the county recorder
Early Voting: Early voting is typically available 33 days before Election Day, which would be October 4, 2012. Note: Residents can register and vote on the same day between October 2nd & 6th, 2012, three day overlap with voter registration deadline. Any registered voter may opt to vote by absentee ballot and vote early by mail.
Voting Absentee: Voters can request to receive an absentee ballot (PDF) starting 93 days before an election. The county recorder must receive the request by 5:00 p.m. on the date that is 11 days before the election. Ballots must be postmarked either by mail to the County Recorder's office in the county in which you are registered to vote, or dropping off the early ballot in-person at any polling place or early voting location in the county by 7 PM on Election Day.
Polling Hours: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Officials:
Capitol Executive Tower
7th Floor, 1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix , AZ 85007-2888
Phone: 602-542-8683
http://www.azsos.gov/
ARKANSAS
Voter Registration Deadline: October 7, 2012 for General Election.
Voter Registration Drive: Click here (PDF) to access the fact about how to conduct a voter registration drive in Arkansas.
Where to Register: Visit the Arkansas Secretary of State's website and download an application OR you can go directly to your county board of elections office and pick up an application there.
Voter ID Requirements: If you are a first time voter you must present one of the following permissible forms of ID:
- A current and valid photo ID or copy of a current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Other government document that shows the name of the voter
Early Voting: Depending on the type of election being conducted, you may vote during the 7 or 15 days prior to Election Day.
Absentee Voting: If you will not be in the area to make it to your polling location on Election Day, you should apply to receive an absentee ballot by contacting your county clerk (PDF). Download the absentee ballot application and send it in no later than 7 days before the Election. If you submit an absentee ballot in-person it must be in no later than the close of business on the day before the election. If you are submitting an absentee ballot by mail it must be at clerk's office by 7:30 pm on Election Day. You may not fax a ballot.
Polling Hours: 7:30 am -7:30 pm. Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Officials:
Arkansas Secretary of State:
Main Offices
State Capitol, RM 256
Little Rock, AR 72201
501-682-1010
CALIFORNIA
Voter Registration Deadline: The deadline to register for the November 2012 General Election is October 22, 2012. To qualify to vote in the next election, you must apply to register to vote 15 days before the election. If you mail the form, it must be postmarked by that date.
Voter Registration Drive: Voter registration cards can be obtained from the county election's office, post offices, or some public libraries. The voter registration card must be returned to the county elections official or Secretary of State within three days. However, if you want to request 50 or more voter registration cards from the Secretary of State's Office, you must complete and submit a Statement of Distribution form and a plan of distribution to the Secretary of State Distribution Form. No extra training is required to hold a voter registration drive.
Where to Register: You may obtain voter registration forms from your county clerk's office, any public libraries, or a U.S. Post office. You can also download an application online and mail it in.
Voter ID Requirements: No voter ID is required to vote, unless you did not provide identification with your application, you may need to show identification at the polls.
Early Voting: Early voting is available for all registered voters starting 29 days before the election. Contact your county registrar about the time and location of early voting if it is offered in your county.
Absentee Voting: You must request an absentee ballot at least 7 days before the election. Absentee ballots must be received by elections officials no later than the close of the polls at 8:00 pm on Election Day. Click here (PDF) to download application.
Polling Hours: The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Officials:
Secretary of State's Office
1500 11th Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 657-2166
Fax: (916) 653-3214
E-Mail: elections@sos.ca.gov
Web: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/
COLORADO
Voter Registration Deadline: May 28, 2012 for Primary Election; October 8, 2012 for November General Election. To qualify to vote in the next election, you must apply to register to vote 29 days before the election.
Voter Registration Drive: VRDs must register with the Secretary of State on an annual basis; authorizations to conduct drives are valid until December 31st of the calendar year in which they were signed. The VRD organizer must complete a mandatory training provided by the Secretary of State before circulating any voter registration forms. For registration and training visit: http://www.elections.colorado.gov/DDefault.aspx?tid=128
Where to Register: If you have a Colorado Driver's License of an ID card issued by the Department of Revenue, you may register to vote online. If you do not have either, you may download the registration form.
Voters can also choose to register ONLINE. Click here to access online application.
Voter ID Requirements: If you are voting in person, you are required to show a form of ID when voting. If the form of identification shows an address, it must be in the state of Colorado. Some of the acceptable forms of ID include:
- Colorado driver's license
- US passport
- valid student ID card with a photograph
- a copy of a bill or bank statement with the name and address or a valid ID card issued by Department of Revenue
Early Voting: Early voting is available to any eligible elector during regular business hours for 10 days before a primary election and for 15 days before a November election at the main county clerk's office.
Voting Absentee: If you wish to request a mail-in ballot, the application must be received by your County Clerk's Office by close of business 7 days before the election. Mail-In Ballots may be obtained in person at the County Clerk's Office until close of business on the Friday before the election. Absentee ballots must be received by the County Clerk no later than 7:00pm on Election Day. If you are voting by mail for the first time, you must provide a photocopy of your ID. Click here to view complete of acceptable forms of ID.
Polling Hours: The polls will be open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm . Click here to find your polling location.
State Elections Officials
Secretary of State
1700 Broadway, Suite 270
Denver , CO 80290
Phone: 303-894-2200
Web: http://www.sos.state.co.us/
CONNECTICUT
Voter Registration Deadline: October 23, 2012 for November general Election. Mailed applications must be postmarked at least 14 days before the election. If registering in person, you must do so at least 7 days before the election.
Voter Registration Drive: Bulk amounts of voter registration forms can be obtained by calling Joan Gibson at the Secretary of State Office at 860-509-6108. Return forms to local registrar.
Where to Register: Persons may download the voter registration form (PDF) or they may register in person at their county registrar.
Voter Identification Requirements:The following are acceptable forms of ID. If a voter cannot present any of the forms of ID on Election Day the voter may instead provide their name, signature, and address.
- Social Security Card
- Other preprinted form of identification which shows the elector's name and either the elector's address, signature or photograph.
Early Voting: None if you are not voting absentee.
Voting Absentee: If you wish to vote absentee download and application here (PDF). The absentee ballot must be received by the municipal clerk by the close of the polls if mailed, or by the day before an election if returned in person.
Poll Location Hours: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm on Election Day. Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Office:
Connecticut Legislation and Elections Administration Division of the Office of Secretary of State
30 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106
Mailing Address:
Secretary of the State
ATTN: LEAD
PO Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Website: http://www.ct.gov/sots/cwp/view.asp?a=3&q=415810
Phone: 860-509-6100
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm M-F
Email: lead@ct.gov
DELAWARE
Voter Registration Deadline: October 15, 2011 and October 13, 2012 are the dates by which voter registration forms must be postmarked. For special elections, registration forms must be postmarked only 10 days before election day.
Voter Registration Drive : Bulk amounts of voter registration forms may be obtained by contacting Elaine Manlove at 302-577-5065. Return original form to your county.
Where to Register: You can download (PDF) a voter registration form and mail it in OR In-person at your county department of elections, your local DMV, the Department of Health and Social Services or the Department of Labor.
Voter Identification Requirements: Voters without ID can instead sign an affidavit affirming their identity. The following are acceptable forms of ID:
- A current and valid photo identification
- Utility Bill
- Paycheck
- Any government document with voter's name and address
Early Voting: None, however in-person absentee voting is available for those who qualify. This option is available as soon as absentee ballots are available. For more information about availability, contact your County Department of Elections.
Voting Absentee: You may vote early by Absentee Ballot in person at the Department of Elections for your County or by mail. The absentee ballot must be received by the municipal clerk by the close of the polls if mailed, or by the day before an election if returned in person. Click here (PDF) to download the absentee ballot application for New Castle County; here (PDF) for Kent County; here (PDF) for Sussex County.
Polling Place: Polls are open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Office:
Delaware Commissioner of Elections
Address: 905 S. Governors Ave., Suite 170
Dover, DE 19904
Website: http://www.elections.delaware.gov/services/voter/voter.shtml
Phone: 302-739-4277
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Voter Registration Deadline: October 7, 2012 mail-in registration forms must be postmarked and hand-delivered forms must be received. D.C. also has same day registration where voters can register to vote and cast a ballot on the same day for the November General Election.
Voter Registration Drive : Contact the DC Board of Elections and Ethics for registration forms and return completed voter registration forms to the Board of Elections and Ethics.
Where to Register: Persons may register online at the DC Board of Elections and Ethics website or they may register in person at their office.
Voter Identification Requirements: Voters who vote by mail for the first time must show identification when voting for the first time in a federal election if the voter did not send a copy of the identification when they mailed in their application. Acceptable forms of ID are as follows:
- Current and valid driver's license
- Photo identification
- Current utility bill
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
- Any government document showing name and address
Early Voting: Voters can vote in-person at One Judiciary Square 441 4th St. NW Washington, DC. Polling dates and times are as follows: Monday, October 18 - Saturday October 30 - 8:30 am - 7:00 pm, closed Sundays. Monday, November 1- 8:30 am - 4:45 pm.
Voting Absentee: A registered voter may submit a written request for an absentee ballot. The request must be received no later than the 7th day before the election. Click here to request an absentee ballot form.
Polling Places: 7am to 8pm; Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Office:
DC Board of Elections and Ethics
441 4th Street NW
Suite 250 North
Washington, DC 20001
Website: http://www.dcboee.org/
Phone: 202 727 2525
Hours: 8:15 am - 4:45 pm M-F
FLORIDA
Voter Registration Deadline: October 9, 2012 are the dates by which mail-in registration forms must be postmarked and hand-delivered forms must be received.
Voter Suppression: House Bill 1355 no longer allows voters to change their address on Election Day if they are voting outside of the county where they are registered. Voters in Florida have been permitted to change their address on Election Day since 1973. In addition Senate Bill 2086 cuts the early voting period down from two weeks to one. About 20 percent of voters in Florida took advantage of early voting in 2008. It also places unnecessary restrictions on third party voter registration groups. Instead of third party groups having two weeks to turn in a bulk of completed applications, they will now have only 48 hours. If completed applications are not turned in within the deadline, the groups can face a penalty of up to $1000. These laws do not apply to the preclearance counties in Florida until the U.S. Department of Justice finds them constitutional under the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Voter Registration Drive: Voter Registration Drive: With the new voter registration restrictions on third party groups, it is important that you and other groups registering students to vote are aware of the new changes. Find your local county's supervisor of elections and ask them about the new changes in the voter registration laws and what steps your group will need to take to conduct a voter registration drive on your campus.
Where to Register: Persons may download a voter registration form (PDF) from the Florida State Division of Elections or contact their county offices for a voter registration form.
Voter Identification Requirements: Florida requires voters to present a valid and current photo ID with a valid signature. If the ID does not have a current and valid signature, the voter will have to bring an additional ID that includes a signature. Voters without an ID or a valid signature can still cast a provisional ballot that may count if the canvassing board verifies the eligibility of the voter. The following are acceptable forms of ID:
- Florida driver's license
- Florida ID card issued by the Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
- U.S. passport
- Debit or credit card
- Military identification
- Student identification
- Retirement center identification
- Neighborhood association ID
- Public assistance identification
Additionally, if the ID does not display the individual's signature, another form of ID that does - such as a credit or debit card - must be presented.
Early Voting: Early voting starts 15 days before an election and ends 2 days before election day. Early voting is conducted 8 hours per day on each weekday and for 8 hours in the aggregate for each weekend. Early voting sites shall open no sooner than 7 a.m. and close no later than 7 p.m. on each applicable day. Click here (PDF) to view all early voting locations.
Voting Absentee: A request for an absentee ballot must be received by the supervisor of elections no later than 5 p.m. on the 6th day before the election. The absentee ballot must be returned to the Supervisor of Elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Click here (PDF) to access absentee ballot application.
Polling hours: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Click here to find your polling location.
State Election Office:
Florida State Division of Elections
Room 316, R.A. Gray Building
500 South Bronough Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250
Website: http://election.dos.state.fl.us
Phone: 850-245-6200
Email: DivElections@dos.state.fl.us
GEORGIA
Voter Registration Deadline: October 1, 2012 mail-in registration forms must be postmarked and hand-delivered forms must be received.
Voter Suppression Legislation: Senate Bill 84 (PDF) voter identification; Senate Bill 86 would require proof of citizenship.
Voter Registration Drive: Bulk amounts of voter registration forms may be obtained by contacting your county board of elections. Return completed registration forms to your county board.
Where to Register: You can download a voter registration form (PDF) from the Georgia Secretary of State Elections Division or contact your county board of elections. Many Georgia college registrar offices or the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs have voter registration forms for students.
Voter Identification: Voters can only present a government-issued ID when going to vote on Election Day. The following are permissible forms of ID:
- A Georgia driver's license, even if expired
- Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a FREE Voter ID Card issued by the Department of Driver Services or your county registrar's office
- Valid U.S. passport
- Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state
- Valid U.S. military photo ID
- Valid tribal photo ID
If you
DO NOT have one of these forms of photo ID, you can receive a FREE Georgia Voter ID Card. Just contact your county registrar's office or a Department of Driver Services office.
Early Voting: Early voting occurs Monday through Friday of the week prior to an election. Contact your local county election board for times and locations.
Voting Absentee: You do not have to provide any excuse for voting an absentee ballot by mail nor are you required to include any identification when you mail your ballot. Click here (PDF) for the details about voting absentee in Georgia.
Polling Place: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm; Click here to find your polling location:
State Election Office:
Georgia Secretary of State Elections Division
Address: 2 MLK Jr. Dr. S.E.
Suite 1104, West Tower
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Website: http://www.sos.state.ga.us/elections/
Phone: 404-656-2871
HAWAII
Voter Registration Deadline: October 7, 2012 by 4:30 pm registration forms must be postmarked or handed in on October 8, 2012 by 4:30 pm.
Voter Registration Drive: Anyone may conduct a voter registration drive. In order to conduct a voter registration drive you must receive training by the county clerk's office. To find out about training schedules contact the county election's office.
Where to Register: Mail-in voter registration form is widely available. Mail the completed Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration to the Office of the City or County Clerk where you reside. Visit the Office of the City or County Clerk where you reside to complete an Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration. The State of Hawaii Application for Motor Vehicle Driver's License also contains a Motor Voter Affidavit on Application for Voter Registration allowing any individual to simultaneously apply for a driver's license and register to vote. Affidavit on the Application for Voter Registration brochures are available at your Satellite City Hall, Public libraries, U.S. Post Offices, Phone Directory, State services agencies, University of Hawaii System, Office of Elections' website.
Voter ID Requirements: Bring your signed voter ID card, or any other signed ID that will allow the election worker to verify your signature. The state of Hawaii does not specify acceptable forms of ID, but a photo ID is not necessary. Here are some forms of ID that will be permissible:
- driver's license
- military ID
- Indian ID
- fish and game license
- state ID card
- U.S. passport
- senior citizen ID card
Note: Hawaii State law requires two hours' time away from work for voting.
Early Voting: Early voting starts 10 business days before an election and ends the Saturday before an election - from October 23, 2012 to November 3, 2012. Absentee walk-in polling places are located at the Offices of the City or County Clerk where you reside.
Voting Absentee: You must return your completed Application for Absentee Voter Ballot to your City/County Clerk no earlier than 60 days and no later than 7 days prior to the election. You must return your voted Absentee Ballot to your City/County Clerk by the day of the respective election. Click here (PDF) to download absentee application.
Polling Hours: The polling place hours are from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Click here to find your polling location.
State Elections Officials:
Hawaii Votes
802 Lehua Avenue
Pearl City , HI 96782
Phone: 808-453-8683
Email: elections@aloha.net
Web: http://www.hawaii.gov/elections
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