Where to register to vote

There is no national voter roll. Every state runs its own registration, with its own rules and its own deadline — so wherever you start, you end up filing with your state or local election office. These are the official places to begin.

• vote.gov

  The U.S. government's voting site, run by the Election Assistance Commission. Pick your state and it hands you to that state's system. It doesn't collect or store any personal information from visitors, and it's available in a number of languages.

• Registration deadlines and the mail-in form

  State-by-state deadlines, plus the National Mail Voter Registration Form, which works in every state except New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

• usa.gov/voter-registration

  The same official information in a different shape, with clear guidance on checking your registration, updating your name or address, and replacing a voter registration card.

• Election Assistance Commission

  The federal agency behind vote.gov, with its own directory of how each state and territory runs elections.

• Your state election office

  The most authoritative source of all, because it's the office that actually processes your registration. Search for your Secretary of State or state board of elections, or reach it through vote.gov.