General Voting FAQ

General Voting FAQ

  • How do I register to vote?
    • You can register to vote in-person, by mail, or (in some states) online. Register to vote-by-mail or online with Rock The Vote! For more information on registering to vote in your state, visit your state election office website
  • How do I know if I am registered to vote or not?
    • Go to www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/ and fill out the information. Or, if you scroll below the form, you can find your state's official voter lookup. If you are not sure what address you might be registered to vote at, try every possible address you might have registered with. If none of your 'possible' addresses come up with anything, then you are most likely not registered to vote.
  • When do I need to update/change my voter registration?
    • You'll need to update or change your voter registration if you: move within your state, change your name, and if you want to change your political party affiliation. If you move permanently to another state, you need to register to vote in that new stateIf you are from a state other than Oregon but want to vote in Oregon, you can register to vote with your Reed address (3203 SE Woodstock Blvd MS # Portland, OR 97202).
  • How do I update my voter registration?
    • Updating your voter registration must be done on a state/local level. But you can also visit your state election office website and/or talk to your local elections official to see the official procedures you need to take.
  • What is a voter registration card, and do I need one?
    • When you register to vote, you'll be sent a voter registration card. It's a confirmation that you're registered to vote and that your voter information is correct. Your voter registration card typically includes your name, home address, and the address of the polling station where you'll vote. You don't need to bring your voter registration card with you on Election Day. But, you may need other identification since some states require a photo ID to vote. Use this interactive map to learn if you need to bring a photo ID when you vote in person and go to this link to know whether you need to provide ID with your absentee ballot request or with your absentee ballot.
  • What does it mean to register to vote with a political party?
    • Your political party affiliation is the party that you choose to associate with. Depending on your state, you may be asked your party affiliation when you register to vote. You don't have to join a political party or reveal your party preference when you register to vote. The party affiliation on your voter registration does not limit you to voting for just that party. You can always choose to vote for a candidate from any party in a general election, like a presidential, congressional, or mayoral election. Your party affiliation is usually only important in primary elections. Many states have "closed" primaries. This means that you can only vote for your party's candidates in its primary election. Learn about the different types of primary elections.
  • Should I register to vote in Oregon or my home state?
    • This depends on many factors. The main one being, where do you want to have a say in who runs the state/local government? The second important factor is whether you are able to register to vote in time for the election in either state? And the third factor is if you want to, arguably, have more of a "say" in the presidential election and vote in a swing state (typically Oregon isn't viewed as a swing state, but maybe your home state is). If you want help making this decision feel free to email alyandric@reed.edu for guidance or advice!
  • What is a 'swing state,' and is my state one of them?
    • Each major U.S. political party has many states it counts on winning in November's presidential election. A handful of states can go either way since they do not seem to lean towards either political party strongly. These "swing states" have populations that are closely divided politically. They have swung back and forth between Democratic and Republican candidates in recent years. They are battleground states that candidates will target with campaign visits, advertising, and staffing since their outcome is not guaranteed to be one way. Experts don't always agree on which states are swing states. 
    • The Cook Political Report sees Florida, Iowa, Ohio, Georgia, Maine's 2nd District, and North Carolina as clear toss-ups in this election. Battleground states that are leaning Democratic this election, but are still up in the air, include Arizona, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska 2nd District, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. And battleground states that are leaning Republican, but still up in the air, includes Texas only.
  • What is early voting, and how does it work?
    • Voters can cast a ballot by appearing in person at a local elections office or other designated location during a designated period prior to Election Day. In-person early voting timing and availability varies by state.
  • What states have early voting in some form?
    • For voters who are unable to vote by mail or would rather vote in person, all but four states offer some form of early in-person voting to all voters. An excuse is necessary to vote early in person in Mississippi and Missouri. New Jersey and Oregon allow limited early in-person voting because their elections will be conducted entirely by mail.