How Do I Vote?

By Doreen Hettich-Atkins, August 7, 2024

First Time Voter - Here's What You Do

Once you are registered to vote you can vote in a number of ways:

  1. In-person – you go to your polling location and vote in person. Each state is a little bit different.
    1. Some states have ID requirements for first-time in-person voters or for all who vote in-person. You can find out the rules for your state here: https://www.usa.gov/voter-id
    2. Some states permit in-person voting during an early voting period prior to the official election day. Others only allow voting on election day – November 5, 2024
  2. On-line – There is NOT on-line voting in federal elections in the US
  3. Absentee ballot – If you cannot vote in person at your polling place on election day or during the early voting period, you can request an absentee ballot. You should do that by the deadline set by your state. Each state will also set a deadline by which your ballot must be postmarked.

You may bring printed materials into the voting location but many polling places restrict cell phone use.

You can go to your local board of elections site to see a sample ballot.

Check with your state or local election office for more information.

Register to vote or check your registration here: Vote.gov

For more election information go to: https://libguides.ithaca.edu/polticomm