Midterm elections happen every two years after a presidential election and can act as a barometer for how the public views the president’s performance in office.
This year, the midterm elections fall on Tuesday, November 8.
According to the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington D.C., the year 2018 had the highest turnout for a midterm election in recent history.
It added that more than 122 million people voted, the highest in a midterm election year since 1978.
While any U.S. citizen aged 18 and over has the right to vote, states have different requirements about when people need to register or whether they need to register at all.
All states, with the exception of North Dakota, require eligible voters to register before casting their ballot in an election.
Here is some key information for those wanting to vote on November 8:
Which States and Territories Can You Still Register Online to Vote In?
Colorado deadline: October 31Connecticut deadline: November 1Delaware deadline: November 8Hawaii deadline: November 8Massachusetts deadline: October 29Nevada deadline: November 8Utah deadline: October 28Vermont deadline: November 8Washington deadline: October 31
Which States and Territories Can You Still Register to Vote by Mail?
Colorado deadline: Must be postmarked by October 31Connecticut deadline: Must be postmarked by November 1Delaware: Must be postmarked by November 8Guam: Must be received by October 28Hawaii: Must be postmarked by October 31Massachusetts: Must be postmarked by October 29Utah: Must be received by October 28Vermont: Must be received by November 4Washington: Must be received by October 31
In the Statista chart below, the Republicans are poised to win the House while the Senate remains a toss-up.
Which States and Territories Can You Register in Person On the Day?
CaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIowaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaNevadaNew HampshireNew MexicoUtahVermontWashingtonWisconsinWyoming
Which States and Territories Have a Different In-Person Registration Deadline?
Guam deadline: October 28Massachusetts deadline: October 29Montana deadline: 12 p. m. on November 7Nebraska deadline: October 28North Carolina deadline: 3 p. m. on November 5South Carolina deadline: November 7
States And Territories Where the Registration Deadline Has Passed
Alabama: All registration ended on October 24Alaska: All registration ended on October 9American Samoa: All registration ended on October 11Arizona: All registration ended on October 11Arkansas: Registration for in-person and by-mail voting ended on October 11District of Columbia: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 18Florida: All registration ended on October 11Georgia: All registration ended on October 11Idaho: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 14Illinois: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 23 and October 11, respectivelyIndiana: All registration ended on October 11Iowa: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 24Kansas: All registration ended on October 18Kentucky: All registration ended on October 11Louisiana: Registration to vote online ended on October 18 and by-mail and in-person registration ended on October 11Maine: Registration for by-mail voting ended on October 18. Maine does not have online voting. Michigan: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 24Maryland: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 18Minnesota: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 18Mississippi: Registration for in-person and by-mail voting ended on October 10. Mississippi does not have online votingMissouri: All registration ended on October 12Montana: Registration for by-mail voting ended on October 11. Montana does not have online votingNebraska: Registration for online and by-mail ended on October 21Nevada: Registration for by-mail voting ended on October 11New Jersey: All registration ended on October 18New Mexico: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 11New York: All registration ended on October 14North Carolina: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 14Northern Mariana Islands: Registration for by-mail and in-person voting ended on September 9Ohio: All registration ended on October 11Oklahoma: Registration for in-person and by-mail registration ended on October 14Oregon: All registration ended on October 18Pennsylvania: All registration ended on October 24Puerto Rico: All registration ended on September 19South Carolina: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 9 and October 11, respectivelySouth Dakota: Registration for in-person and by-mail voting ended on October 24Tennessee: All registration ended on October 11Texas: Registration for in-person and by-mail voting ended on October 11U. S. Virgin Islands: Registration for in-person and by-mail voting ended on October 9Virginia: All registration ended on October 17West Virginia: All registration ended on October 18Wisconsin: Registration for online and by-mail voting ended on October 19Wyoming: Registration for by-mail voting ended on October 24. Wyoming does not have online voting
If you are unsure about your state’s registration deadlines, you can visit vote.org to learn more.
What Information Do I Need to Register?
Each state has different processes and requirements for those who want to register to vote in elections.
You may need to share or check the following information:
Your party affiliation. This impacts who you can vote for in primary elections and caucuses. Your current address. This will need to be updated if you are moving within or to another state and for Americans moving abroad. Check to see if your registration is “inactive. " You may become “inactive” if you don’t vote in at least two federal elections. You may be asked for proof of state residency and identification.
For more information about registering to vote, visit vote.gov.
