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Change Your Voter Registration

Find out how to update or change your voter registration. If your state has online voter registration, you can make the changes online.

Update or Change Your Voter Registration

You'll need to update or change your voter registration if you:

  • Move within your state

  • Change your name

  • Want to change your political party affiliation

If you move permanently to another state, register to vote in that new state.

Submit your changes before your state’s deadline to register to vote. That could be up to 30 days before the election.

How to Change Your Voter Registration Information

You can change your registration online, by mail, or by phone. Be ready to provide your state driver’s license number or state ID number and your Social Security number.

Make Changes Online

If your state has online voter registration, that may be the easiest way to make changes. If your state keeps track of political party preference, you will be able to change that too. 

  1. Go to Vote.gov

  2. Select your state and click “find out how to register.”

  3. Follow the link to your state’s election website to start your online registration or to find other ways to register. 

Make Changes by Mail

Make Changes by Phone

Check with your state or local election office. Some states will accept changes over the phone.

How to Change Your Political Party Affiliation

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 can change your party affiliation online, by mail, or over the phone using the methods for changing your voter registration information, above. 

  • You don't have to join a political party or reveal your party preference when you register to vote.

  • Not every state accepts or lists a party affiliation on a voter registration card.

  • 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.

Video: Guide for Checking Your Registration

If you have already registered to vote, you may want to check your registration to make sure it is up-to-date. This short video will explain why it is important to check and how easy it is to do.

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Last Updated: July 7, 2020

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