thebigp

By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed February 14, 2024—printed off 3/28/24
Legally Reviewed

Fact-Checked
V****g in the United States is important to maintain our democracy. Here's who can and can't v**e.
V****g is a fundamental right guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. The 15th Amendment became law to ensure that all U.S. citizens can exercise their right to v**e. Yet, understanding the intricacies of v****g laws can be confusing. Each state may have its own rules and requirements that could affect your right to v**e.
This article answers the following questions related to v****g:
• Who is eligible to v**e in the United States?
• Is v****g mandatory in the U.S.?
• What are the v**er ID requirements?
• Are people with felony convictions allowed to v**e?
• Can immigrants v**e in the U.S. E******n?
• Do I need to r******r to v**e?
• Can I still v**e if I am away from home?
Who Is Eligible to V**e in the United States?
Eligible v**ers in the U.S. meet the criteria listed by the U.S. Constitution. But the following are the general requirements for eligible v**ers in the United States.
1. U.S. citizenship. The v**er should be a U.S. citizen. This includes those born in the United States and naturalized U.S. citizens.
2. Residency. V**ers should meet the state's residency requirements where they wish to v**e. Each state has its own rules when it comes to residency requirements.
3. Age. The v**er should at least be 18 years of age (v****g age) by e******n day.
4. Registration. The v**er should follow the registration rules of their state. Note that v***r r**********n law may vary in every state. For instance, some states allow same-day registration, meaning the v**er can r******r to v**e on e******n day. Other states have specific deadlines to r******r to v**e.
Who Is Not Eligible to V**e?
The following groups of people are not eligible to v**e in the United States:
• Non-U.S. citizens
• People convicted of certain types of felonies
• U.S. citizens younger than 18
• Some people who are mentally incapacitated
Also, residents of U.S. territories, although U.S. citizens, cannot v**e in p**********l e******ns. They can v**e in p**********l primaries but not in general e******ns. This is because these territories do not have representatives in Congress.
Is V****g Mandatory in the United States?
The right to v**e is a privilege given to citizens of the U.S. V**ers don't need to exercise this privilege. They can choose to exercise it or not. There are no penalties or legal consequences if a person opts not to v**e in the federal, state, local, or p**********l e******ns.
What Are the V**er ID Requirements?
Each state has its own rules when it comes to v**er ID laws. Some states may ask you to bring a photo identification card, while others are OK with nonphoto identification documents. The following is the general overview of how these v**er ID requirements differ:
Photo ID vs. Nonphoto ID States
In states with strict v**er ID requirements, you should present a specific identification card to v**e. Often, it should be a photo ID, which can be your driver's license, passport, state ID, military ID, or similar documents. Other states may be more flexible. For instance, they would accept your Social Security card, v***r r**********n card, bank statement with your name and address, and other similar documents.
Strict vs. Non-Strict V**er ID Laws
Under strict v**er ID laws, you should use provisional b****ts if you lack proper identification. E******n officers may also ask you to submit certain requirements after E******n Day. For instance, e******n officials may ask you to return to the office and bring an acceptable identification document. If you fail to bring these documents, the e******n officials will not count your provisional b****t.
Nonstrict v**er laws allow you to cast your v**e even without an acceptable identification document. For instance, you may verify your identity by asking a poll worker to vouch for you. You may also sign an affidavit affirming your identity. At the end of E******n Day, e******n officials check your eligibility to v**e. Then, the official decides whether to count the provisional b****t. In the nonstrict v**er law process, you don't need further action.
Are People With Felony Convictions Allowed to V**e?
It depends on the state where you live. Each state has its own set of rules on how felony convictions could affect your right to v**e. In most states, v****g rights are automatically restored after the person gets released from jail or after parole or probation. Other states do not automatically restore felons' v****g rights. Meanwhile, two states, including Washington, D.C., never revoke the v****g rights of convicted felons.
States that Automatically Restore Felons' V****g Rights After Release
The following states automatically restore the v****g rights of felons after their sentence:
1. California
2. Colorado
3. Connecticut
4. Hawaii
5. Illinois
6. Indiana
7. Maryland
8. Massachusetts
9. Michigan
10. Minnesota
11. Montana
12. Nevada
13. New Hampshire
14. New Jersey
15. New Mexico
16. New York
17. North Dakota
18. Ohio
19. Oregon
20. Pennsylvania
21. Rhode Island
22. Utah
23. Washington
States that Automatically Restore a Felon's V****g Rights After Parole or Probation
The following states automatically restore a person's v****g rights after parole or probation:
1. Alaska
2. Arkansas
3. Georgia
4. Idaho
5. Kansas
6. Louisiana
7. Missouri
8. North Carolina
9. Oklahoma
10. South Carolina
11. South Dakota
12. Texas
13. West Virginia
14. Wisconsin
States that Do Not Automatically Restore Felon's V****g Rights
The following states need more requirements to restore one's v****g rights:
1. Alabama
2. Arizona
3. Delaware
4. Florida
5. Iowa
6. Kentucky
7. Mississippi
8. Nebraska
9. Tennessee
10. Virginia
11. Wyoming
Note that each state has its own rules on regaining the right to v**e. Visit our page on felon v****g laws by state to learn more.
Can Immigrants V**e in the U.S. E******n?
Noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents, cannot v**e in federal e******ns and state e******ns. Only U.S. citizens can take part in U.S. e******ns.
Noncitizens who try to v**e without the legal authority could face the following consequences:
1. Fines
2. Imprisonment of up to one year
3. Possibility of deportation
This could also affect the immigrant's ability to become a U.S. citizen through naturalization.
Do I Need to R******r to V**e?
In most states, you must become a registered v**er before you can v**e. The requirements on how to register may vary in every state. Some states need you to submit the v***r r**********n form days before E******n Day. Meanwhile, other states allow same-day registration at polling places.
Because of these varying rules, it is best to check your state e******n office for details, particularly the deadline and requirements of your state. To learn more about your state's registration requirements, visit V**e.gov.