How to Change Voter Registration or Re-Register to Vote After Moving
All of us have to go through this at least once in
our lifetime - struggles and organization are the least fun part of the move,
but if you follow all the procedures, it doesn't have to be complicated. For
example, you need to think about how to
change voter registration and other important "technical"
questions and steps you should take if you want to move without any
inconvenience.
With the gradual expansion of voting rights and
about 158 million Americans voting in the last elections, and millions of them
relocating every year, you have to wonder how to update your voter registration [1] after a move. This and other
important questions, such as switching the address and utilities, will be some
of your primary responsibilities during the relocation process, and
professional movers can help you with other moving obligations. They will help
you pack and relocate your belongings easily while you focus on what's really
important.
Don't Wait Until the Election Day
to Find Out Your Information Isn't Up to Date and You Can't Vote
Every move has stages - some happen at the very beginning of the process, from the moment you get the idea to move. After that and deciding where to live, you start looking for suitable apartment and house hunting tips. Then, you can start writing a moving to-do list and all of the things you need to accomplish for a successful relocation process.
At the second stage
of the process, you will start to organize packing to move, gather packing
materials, and write a packing list with all of the belongings that
you need to relocate. You can start making a new
apartment checklist as well if you want everything to go smoothly
and easily once you finally get to your new apartment. The last stage of the
process happens after you start living in your new home.
You Need to Organize Your Move
Properly
If you want to move
like a pro and start living in your new home without any inconveniences, there
are a few important things to think through. Some of these steps can be done
before you relocate, but if you're late - don't worry, you can make additional
changes later. One of the things you might forget to do when moving is
the part where you organize important documents and update your
address and utilities. Another essential thing to consider is how to change your voter registration when you
move, and that is the part we'll explain further in this article.
The Polling Place Depends on Your
Address
This is quite
logical, but you might have never thought about it - the place where you vote
is directly related to your current address, so what happens when a person
moves? So does the polling place, even if you move just a few blocks away from
your previous home. You'll have to update your records and the address in order to be eligible for voting in
the next elections. Pro tip: this
also applies if you change your name or political party, so make sure
everything is covered to prevent unnecessary anxiety
about moving.
Voting Regulations and
Obligations
There are two
convenient options for changing your address information - you can do this at
the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or by filling the Change of Address Form at the United States
Postal Service. The verification process might take some time, depending on the
county regulations and policies, but your obligations will be the same for the
majority of the states - voters have to register
at least 30 days before the election, and you need to be 18 and over to
register. Some states like Colorado and Louisiana allow 16 and 17-year-olds to
vote as well.
If You Move to Another State
Ensure You Follow Voter Registration Deadlines
The post-relocation stage brings many responsibilities, but changing your address should definitely be one of the priorities, especially in the upcoming election period. If you permanently move to another state, you need to follow county regulations and deadlines if you want to move efficiently from the beginning to the end. By visiting vote.gov, you'll find out how to make these changes step by step- there, you can find all the deadlines and advantages some states offer, such as benefits for registering online.
If you're relocating to another county and you want to organize your move like a pro and save money, you can also look up some moving tips and convenient moving hacks that will help you have a stress-free move while sticking to the moving budget. You should also consider hiring a professional moving company and use a convenient moving app to find one. Finding suitable assistance through a moving company app will protect you from moving scams.
Update Your Information
Depending on your current state regulations
and the county you're relocating to, as well as your personal preferences, you
can choose among four different options
for making these changes:
●
Online,
●
Mail-in,
●
In-person,
●
By visiting the DMV.
When and Where to Update
Information?
If you’re wondering
when the best period to make these changes is, we'll say as soon as you move,
no matter if the elections are coming or not. If you're about to move in a hurry, you need to check the deadline in your current county.
These deadlines can vary from two to four weeks, so it's advisable to get the
right information at least a month before, if not earlier. Also, another
important thing to remember is that you have to verify the relocation status a
week before the deadline. You might find that some updates haven’t been made,
so you'll have enough time to update them and re-register with the right
information.
How Long Do These Changes Usually
Take?
Most states will send you confirmation cards
after successfully fulfilling this form, and this shouldn't take longer than
five to seven business days. If you don't receive the confirmation card, you
should check if you're eligible to vote
on the state’s official website.
Paperwork Needed to Register if
You Want to Vote
The needed
documents might vary depending on the state regulations, but most of them will accept your state ID or state-issued
driver's license. Just to make sure you cover the unique requirements of
your current state, check their website to see which paperwork is necessary.
Many of them will also accept:
●
A passport,
●
Employee ID car,
●
Veterans ID card,
●
Students ID card,
●
Public benefit card,
●
Military card,
●
Copy of the birth certificate.
In case that you don't have anything from the
documents mentioned above, there might be some alternative that should be
acceptable.
A Voter Can Register Online When
the Election Day Comes Depending on State Laws
According to
reviews, voting online is permitted in
37 states and the District of Columbia. If you aren't familiar with your
current status when it comes to online voting, you can easily get this
information online on the official website. Feel free to contact officials for
additional info, and someone will guide you through all the details.
How to
Change Voter Registration Before the Election?
If you're lucky
enough to have this option in your state, this can also be one of the best and
easiest ways to make these changes and register. You can simply visit eac.gov,
find your current state, and the sliding menu will show you an option to see
how to register. The link will lead you to the election website, where you can continue with the registering process.
Mail-In Registration Is Another
Convenient Option
Another convenient
option to do this and achieve your goals is to simply proceed with mail-in registering. If you visit the Election Assistance Commission website, you can
easily find and fill out the official form. Unfortunately, if you live in Wyoming, North Dakota, or New
Hampshire, this form won't be accepted. Ensure to check the differences that
apply in your county to prevent unpleasant surprises - you can find many convenient online resources and websites.
You Can Visit Your Local Polling
Office in Person As Well
This can also be a
fast and easy way to skip all the complications and unnecessary stress. Simply
go to your closest local polling office
and ask about how to make these changes. Some states will also allow you to do
this at the local polling office. You can easily find
their address online and finish the process in a short time. Most states will
allow these kinds of changes, but make sure you check your county regulations.
What Is a Provisional Ballot and
How Does It Work?
The term
provisional ballot is something you might bump into while looking at these
regulations - it's also known as "challenge ballot" and
"affidavit ballot.". This ballot is made for all residents to ensure
that they have regular rights as a voter, so any administrative errors won't take your citizen rights away. If for
any reason, you show up at the polling place on election day and it turns out
that your eligibility is uncertain, officials can offer you a provisional
ballot instead of the regular one. The validity of the ballot can be further
determined within a few days after the elections.
What
Are the Common Reasons for Using Provisional Ballots?
If you find yourself in an unpleasant
situation like this, you might start wondering why this is happening to you.
There are a few common situations that
might explain this problem, such as:
●
Your name isn't on the list of
voters,
●
Poll officials challenged your
identity,
●
Poll officials challenged your
eligibility to vote,
●
You don't have the required form
of identification,
●
You changed your personal info
(name, address, or political party) without making changes on the registering form.
Provisional Ballots Aren't
Permitted in Some States
As many other rules vary depending on the
county, you can't use this particular
ballot in all of them. For example, states that don’t allow provisional
ballots are:
●
Wyoming,
●
New Hampshire,
●
Minnesota,
●
Idaho,
●
North Dakota.
Each of the mentioned states have their
differences in rules from one county to another, so make sure to follow them if
you relocate there.
You Can Also Request an Absentee
Ballot
If you or some of
your family members are in the military, there are some unique differences in
this process you should consider. Military moves can be frequent in your life,
so Federal Voting Assistance Programs allow you to request an absentee ballot -
this can be easily settled by submitting a Federal Post Card Application at the local
election office.
Now That You Know How to Change
Voter Registration, You Can Start Looking for Trustworthy Moving Companies
If you ever faced moving industry challenges and issues, you might be familiar with the fact that reliable movers can be hard to find. To avoid unnecessary complications, use Mod24 features and put your worries to an end. With our app to compare moving companies, you'll find ideal solutions for your relocation needs in no time. Contact us for more information on how to choose a moving company and enjoy your upcoming move.
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