Voting Systems and Equipment
Can Anyone Find Out Who You Voted For?
A public voter record can show that a person voted, but never who the person voted for. The record may also list the voter’s party and…
Elections and Voting
Elections and voting are how Americans choose their leaders and decide public questions. The subject covers who runs for office, how contests are organized, how ballots are cast and counted, and how the law protects the right to vote. Federal, state, and local governments all share the work, and courts settle many disputes.
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October 11last updated
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Referenced by Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill and USA Today.
The Webby-recognized AI behind our articles »
Latest in Elections and Voting
Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities
Your Right to an Accessible Ballot If You Have a Disability
Learn what federal law guarantees disabled voters: accessible polling places, voting machines, mail ballots, and help from a chosen assistant.
Voter Education Resources
How to Research Judicial Candidates on Your Ballot
A guide to researching judicial candidates on your ballot using voter guides, performance evaluations, bar ratings, and Ballotpedia.
Voter Education Resources
How to Find Out What’s on Your Ballot Before Election Day
See your ballot early using official state and county election sites, plus nonpartisan tools like Ballotpedia and Vote411 for candidates and measures.
Topics in Elections and Voting
Candidates and contests
Candidates and Campaigns covers how people seek office and what rules they follow. Types of Elections and Electoral Systems covers the kinds of contests and the systems that turn votes into results.
Running the vote
Running Elections covers the officials, places, equipment, and safeguards that make voting work.
Voters and their rights
Voter Participation covers registering, identifying yourself, and casting a ballot. Voting Rights and Reform covers the laws that protect the vote and the debates over changing them.
All Articles on Elections and Voting
Can You Still Vote If You’re in Line When Polls Close?
If you're in line when polls close, you can still vote. States like Virginia and California use lists or markers to track who qualifies.
What to Expect at the Polls on Election Day
Learn what happens at the polls on Election Day, from ID checks and check-in to accessible voting and provisional ballots, plus your voting rights.
What Happens If You Show Up Without ID?
What really happens if you show up to vote without ID, from provisional ballots to state rules and the cure deadlines some voters must meet for their vote to count.
What Counts as Valid Voter ID?
Learn how voter ID rules differ by state, what documents count as valid ID, and what to do if you show up without one, based on federal law and NCSL data.
Voter ID Requirements by State
Voter ID rules differ by state, from strict photo-ID laws to none at all. See what your state requires and what to do if your ID does not match.
How to Track Your Mail Ballot After You Send It
Learn how to track your mailed ballot through postal and election systems, decode status messages, and fix problems before deadlines pass.
Absentee vs. Mail-In Ballots: What’s the Difference?
Absentee and mail-in ballots differ by state: some require an excuse, others send ballots automatically. Learn the rules on deadlines and signatures.
How to Vote by Mail: The Full Process
Learn the five steps to vote by mail: check eligibility, request your ballot, fill out the envelope correctly, return it early, and track it to catch rejections.
How to Check If You’re Registered to Vote
Learn how to check your voter registration status online, what labels like inactive or pending mean, and what to do if your name is missing.
Voter Registration Deadlines by State
See how voter registration deadlines vary by state, from 30-day cutoffs to same-day registration, plus how North Dakota and military voters differ.