Here Are Registration + Voting Instructions For All 50 States

I know voting is important. But I’m also in my 20s, meaning I’ve moved a dozen times in the last decade (and lived in four different states). It hasn’t been easy to have my act together in time to vote every two years.

So this year I’ve put together a state-by-state list of what you need to do to vote, especially if you’re new to your state like I am, so we can all be prepared come November 6th.

And to make things a bit more interesting, I’ve included a barely-notable fact about each state — it’s official bird.

Scroll down to find your state, how to register, what to do if you’re new, when your deadline is, and how to vote.

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Alabama

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: Nothing different. All voters must bring ID to the polls. The ID does not have to have your Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 27.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring a valid ID, including those issued by other states, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Yellowhammer aka the Northern Flicker.

Alaska

To Register: If you have an Alaska state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: And do not have an Alaska ID, fill out & mail this Registration Application. If you have an ID issued by another state include a photocopy.

Deadline: October 7th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring the voter registration card that will be mailed to you upon the acceptance of your application, or a photo-ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Willow Ptarmigan

Arizona

To Register: If you have an Arizona state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: And do not have an Arizona ID, fill out & mail this Registration Application. You must include a photocopy of proof-of-citizenship documents, such as your birth certificate, passport, or naturalization documents.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring an Arizona state-issued photo-ID or a valid photo-ID issued by another state and a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Cactus Wren

Arkansas

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And did not register with an Arkansas state-issued ID number, you will have to show proof of residency at the polls, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 7th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here, and if necessary bring one of the aforementioned forms of ID.

Official Bird: Mockingbird

California

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: You will be required to show ID the first time you vote, or you can enclose a photocopy of your ID with the application. Acceptable ID includes a California state-issued photo ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 22nd.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. If you are a first-time California voter, and you registered by mail without including a photocopy of acceptable ID, bring that ID to the polls.

Official Bird: California Quail

Colorado

To Register: If you have a Colorado state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: Fill out and mail this Registration Application.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Contact your county office to find your polling place. Bring a Colorado state-issued ID, a passport, a student photo-ID from a Colorado school or a proof-of-residence such as a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Lark Bunting

Connecticut

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: Same as above.

Deadline: October 22nd.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring some pre-printed form of identification that shows your name, address, signature or photograph. A photo-ID issued by another state will be accepted.

Official Bird: American Robin

Delaware

To Register: If you have a Delaware state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: Fill out & mail this Registration Application with a photocopy of a valid photo-ID or proof-of-residence such as a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it. If you choose a photo-ID, it must have your current, Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 13th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring identification with your name and Registered Address on it, including a photo-ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document.

Official Bird: Blue Hen Chicken

District of Columbia

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And do not have a Washington, D.C.-issued ID, use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: October 8th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. You do not need to bring ID to the polls, though if you are a first-time voter you need to bring proof-of-residence such as an ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Wood Thrush

Florida

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And do not have a Florida state-issued ID, use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring a photo-ID that includes your signature, such as a Florida state-issued ID, a passport or a credit or bank card. An ID issued by another state will not work. However, the ID you use does not have to have your Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Northern Mockingbird

Georgia

To Register: If you have a Georgia state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: And do not have a Georgia state-issued ID, fill out & mail this Registration Application with a photocopy of proof-of-residence such as a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring any valid photo-ID, from any U.S. state or government office.

Official Bird: Brown Thrasher

Hawaii

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And do not have a Hawaii state-issued ID, you must include a photocopy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 8th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring the same ID document you used in your registration.

Official Bird: Nene aka Hawaiian Goose

Idaho

To Register: Register in person at the polls on election day, or fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: You must provide proof-of-identification and proof-of-address. If you don’t have an Idaho state-issued ID, use another photo-ID such as a passport, student ID, or a photo-ID issued by another state AND a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 12th or in-person at the polls on election day.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. If you are already registered, bring a photo-ID such as an Idaho state-issued ID, a passport, a student ID from an Idaho school, a photo-ID issued by another U.S. state, or be prepared to sign an Affidavit as to your identity. If you are registering in-person at the polls on election day, bring the aforementioned documentation.

Official Bird: Mountain Bluebird

Illinois

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And don’t have an Illinois state-issued ID, use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. New voters must bring two forms of identification, at least one of which must have your Registered Address on it. Acceptable ID includes Illinois state-issued ID, a passport, a student ID, a photo-ID issued by another state, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it. All other voters should bring ID in case an election official challenges your registration.

Official Bird: Northern Cardinal

Indiana

To Register: If you have a valid Indiana state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. You must present a valid Indiana state-issued photo-ID or a U.S. passport. The U.S. passport does not need to have your Registered Address on it. If you do not currently possess any of this ID, you can obtain an Indiana state ID card here.

Official Bird: Northern Cardinal

Iowa

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And don’t have an Iowa state-issued ID, use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: October 22nd.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. If you have an Iowa state-issued ID with your Registered Address on it, bring that. If not, you must bring another photo ID and a proof-of-residence document, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it. If you cannot provide any of these documents, you can vote by having another registered voter from your precinct attest to your identity and sign an oath.

Official Bird: Eastern Goldfinch

Kansas

To Register: If you have a Kansas state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: And don’t have a Kansas state-issued ID, fill out & mail this Registration Application.

Deadline: October 16th.

To Vote: Find your polling location by contacting your county’s election office. Bring a valid photo-ID, either from Kansas or another state.

Official Bird: Western Meadowlark

Kentucky

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: Rules are decided on a county level, but in most counties if you do not have a Kentucky state-issued ID, you can register using your full Social Security number.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring a photo-ID, in most counties the photo-ID can be issued by any state and does not need to have your Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Northern Cardinal

Louisiana

To Register: If you have a Louisiana state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: And don’t have a Louisiana state-issued ID, fill out & mail this Registration Application, using the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. You should bring photo-ID if possible. If you do not have photo-ID, be prepared to answer identifying questions to a poll worker, and/or sign an Affidavit.

Official Bird: Brown Pelican

Maine

To Register: Register in-person at the polls on election day, or fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: New voters must present ID when registering, including a photocopy if by mail or bringing the original documents to your polling place. This can be a Maine state-issued ID, a Social Security number or, if you have neither of those, a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 16th by mail, or in-person at the polls on election day.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. If you are registering at the polls for the first time in Maine, bring the aforementioned ID.

Official Bird: Black-capped Chickadee

Maryland

To Register: If you have a Maryland state-issued ID, you can register online here.

If You’re New: Fill out & mail this Registration Application, using the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: Find your polling place here. Bring one form of ID to the polls, including a Maryland state-issued ID, a passport, a photo-ID issued by another state, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Baltimore Oriole

Massachusetts

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And don’t have a Massachusetts state-issued ID or a Social Security number, include sufficient identification either with the application or at the polls, such as a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 17th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. If you are a first-time registrant in Massachusetts and did not include the aforementioned ID with your Registration Application, bring it to the polls.

Official Bird: Black-capped Chickadee

Michigan

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: You must enclose a photocopy of current ID proving your address with your Registration Application. This can be a Michigan state-issued ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it. *Also note, Michigan law requires that a voter’s Registered Address matches your drivers license or state-ID card. So, if you have a current Michigan state-issued ID, and you register to vote with a different address, a change-of-address form will be automatically processed with the Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Deadline: October 9th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring photo-ID to the polls, either a Michigan state-issued ID, a passport, or a photo-ID issued by another state. Voters without ID may sign an Affidavit.

Official Bird: American Robin

Minnesota

To Register: Register in-person at the polls on election day, or fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: ID is not required to register by mail before the deadline.

Deadline: October 16th by mail, or in-person at the polls on election day.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. If you are registering in-person at the polls, you must bring either a valid Minnesota state-issued ID, or another photo-ID, such as a passport or a photo-ID issued by another state and a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Common Loon

Mississippi

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And do not have a Mississippi state-issued ID, use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number or a photocopy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Deadline: October 6th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. First-time voters must bring ID to the polls, either a Mississippi state-issued ID, a passport, a photo-ID from another state, a student ID, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Northern Mockingbird

Missouri

To Register: Fill out & mail this Registration Application.

If You’re New: And do not have a Missouri state-issued ID, you can use the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Deadline: October 10th.

To Vote: Find your polling place here. Bring one form of ID to the polls, either a Missouri state-issued ID, a passport, a photo-ID from another state, or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government-issued identifying document with your name and Registered Address on it.

Official Bird: Eastern Bluebird