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Secure your vote: Internet tips for National Voter Registration Day

Lisa Iscrupe,Hannah WhatleyAllconnect

Published 1:39 pm ET Sep 16

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National Voter Registration Day is on September 17 this year. If you’ve been meaning to register for the first time or update your voter registration, now is a great time to check this off your to-do list. 

Millions of people are not registered to vote, or have outdated registration information that prevents them from participating in local and national elections. National Voter Registration Day launched in 2012 as a campaign to help citizens. This yearly practice is more popular during presidential election years and has had a measurable impact on our democracy. The more voters who participate in every election, the more voices that are represented.

Convenient online resources make it easy to register for the first time or update your voter registration in just a few minutes. Take the first step in fulfilling your civic duty by following our voter registration guide. 

How to register to vote online 

While you can’t vote online, completing your registration before your state’s deadline is vital to making sure you can vote in the election. Here’s how to register today:

• Visit Vote.gov, the official voter registration domain. 
• Select the state you live in. You will be directed to your state’s registration website.
• From there, input your information to register for the first time, update your voter registration or confirm your registration status. 

Alternatively, you can register by mail or in person. Complete the National Mail Voter Registration Form, following the state-specific instructions at the bottom of the page to ensure accuracy. This form is available in 21 different languages, so even voters who are not fluent in English can register. To register in person, you must visit either your local election or DMV office. 

Voter registration requirements

Once you are ready to register to vote, the last thing to confirm before you enroll online is your voter eligibility. 

• Only U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old are permitted to vote. You can register to vote at age 17, as long as you will be 18 by Election Day. Permanent residents who are not citizens or are still in the process of completing the naturalization process are not eligible to vote.
• You can still register to vote even if you are unhoused, but you do need to list a permanent residence during voter registration in order to receive voting information. Registration rules allow listing a friend or family member’s address or a community center, such as a place of worship or shelter, as an address. You will receive a voting card after registering to vote, but you do not need to bring it with you when voting. However, you may need to bring a state-issued ID — check on your state’s regulations for other details on how to vote. 
• Citizens who have been convicted of a felony, are currently in prison or are on probation may or may not be prohibited from voting, depending on where they live. Check your state’s rules surrounding these circumstances to confirm whether you are eligible to vote at this time. 

How to find your voter registration deadline

National Voter Registration Day isn’t the only day you can register to vote, but if you intend to participate in the upcoming presidential election on November 5, 2024, you must register before your state’s deadline. 

Registration deadlines differ depending on where you live, so it’s important to be aware of your state-specific voting rights. Remember, even if you are already registered, you should confirm that your information is up to date, especially if you have recently moved or changed your name. 

Nearly half of U.S. states have same-day voter registration laws, meaning you can register and vote at the same time, but deadlines may still vary based on if you are registering in person, by mail or online.

What you need to register online 

There are two main items you need to register to vote online:

• Your driver’s license or government-issued ID Card number and a Social Security number. Refer to your state’s registration guidelines for specific documentation needed to register, as requirements vary by location. 
• Access to reliable internet or Wi-Fi. Using a home Wi-Fi connection is the most secure way to register, but you can also access internet or Wi-Fi service from a friend or family member’s home or use a public Wi-Fi connection. 

Stay safe when registering online to vote 

You’ll want to take extra steps to protect your data anytime you enter personal information into an online form. Transactions that may include your Personally Identifiable Information (PII) can include voter registration, online banking or shopping, filling out health forms and more. 

Keep your data confidential by taking these steps to secure your Wi-Fi connection. 

Connect to a VPN, especially when using public Wi-Fi hotspots. It is critical that you connect to a VPN when using publicly accessible Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi at public locations makes it easier for hackers to access your personal information. While you don’t necessarily need a VPN at your home, you may want to consider it if you live in a multi-dwelling unit where multiple people connect to the same wireless network. 

Avoid fraudulent websites and phishing scams. The FBI closely monitors voter registration scams, but you should still be alert for any suspicious websites. Fake election websites may seek to fraudulently raise funds or spread misinformation. Common election scams involve scammers who try to contact you by phone, social media, e-mail or even in person in order to collect, or “phish,” for, your personal information. If something seems off, especially if you were approached unexpectedly, don’t release any information, cease communication and report the situation to the proper authorities.

Internet connection requirements for online voter registration

Fortunately, you can use virtually any type of internet connection to vote online, including cable, fiber, 5G or satellite internet. Registering online requires a minimum speed of 1–5 Mbps, so you don’t necessarily need high-speed internet to complete your enrollment. Do a quick speed test if you’re unsure of your current internet speed.

However, if you don’t currently have home internet access and are searching for an internet provider in your area, you’ll want to consider all of your potential online activities when choosing a good internet speed for your household. For light internet use and fewer devices, a cheap internet plan should suffice.

Alternative ways to register to vote online

Don’t let a lack of home internet or a computer stop you from registering to vote. There are plenty of alternative ways to register to vote online:

• Use a public Wi-Fi hotspot. These are often free to access and can be found at local coffee shops, retail stores or restaurants. 
• Get free computer and internet access from a local public library or community center. 
• Find free or low-cost internet options near you. You can also check out internet deals for students or reduced-price internet for seniors if you fall into one of those groups.

Your voting preparedness checklist

The last thing to do ahead of voting day is to know where to go and what to expect. 

• Determine your polling location ahead of time by using the address you used on your voting registration. 
• View a sample ballot to learn all the policies, laws or referendums that may be up for decision on your local ballot. 
• Finally, make a plan for when and how you will visit your local polling precinct on Election Day. 

Once you’ve successfully registered to vote online, identified your polling location and figured out your day-of plan, you will be prepared for Election Day.

Lisa IscrupeAllconnect.com

Lisa Iscrupe is a senior writer helping readers understand the complexities of broadband, internet and other home services, including energy and renewable products. Her work appears on SaveOnEnergy.com and CNET.com, with national sources such as CNN, The Daily MBA and The Media Bulletin referencing her articles.

Hannah HillsonAllconnect.com

Hannah Hillson is a senior editor and wordsmith with a decade of experience in the home services and energy industries. Words, people, and sustainability are her passions. Find her work on SaveOnEnergy.com and Bankrate.com.