KNOW YOUr rights

To be eligible to register to vote you must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen
  
  
• Be 18 years old on or before the date of the general, primary or other election in which you want to vote
  
  
• Not be serving a jail sentence or be on parole for a felony conviction*  

As a registered voter, you should know that you have the right to…

• Choose anyone to assist you in voting with the exception of your employer or union representative
  
  
• Vote at your polling place even if your name is not on the voter list (by paper affidavit ballot)
  
  
• Ask for and receive language assistance, including assistance in Spanish or another language where required by federal or state law
  
  
• Vote by emergency paper ballot if the voting machine is broken
  
  
• Vote as long as you arrive at the polls before the official closing time – even if you are still in line after that time
  
  
• A reasonable amount of time to cast your vote

These are universal rights that all voters have. Click to check your state’s specific voting rights.

* Ex-felons can usually register to vote if they completed their term of probation or parole. Check with your state’s secretary of state website for specific information.