Same-Day Voter Registration

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Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C., have implemented same-day registration, which allows any qualified resident of the state to register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time. Twenty of those states and Washington, D.C., offer Election Day registration, which means voters can both register and vote on Election Day, often during the early voting period. Other items of note:

In 2022, Delaware enacted HB 25, establishing Election Day registration for presidential primary, primary, special and general elections. In October 2022, the Delaware Supreme Court struck down HB 25, citing conflicts with the state's constitution.

In 2021, Montana passed HB 176, repealing the state's Election Day registration law and moving the registration deadline to the day before Election Day. In September 2022, the Montana Supreme Court blocked implementation of the law repealing Election Day registration and, in 2024, the law was declared unconstitutional for violating the state's constitution, leaving the previous law permitting Election Day registration in effect.

In 2023, New York passed SB 5984, which allowed for voter registration during early voting at oicial polling locations. Because early voting in the state begins 10 days before an election, and the voter registration deadline is 10 days before an election, there is a single day overlap where a voter can both register and cast a ballot at an early voting location.

Alaska and Rhode Island allow same-day registration only to vote for president and vice president. In Rhode Island, same-day registration is done at the oice of the Board of Canvassers, not at the polling place. Neither state is included in the table below.

North Dakota does not have voter registration. At the polls on Election Day, eligible citizens may present a valid form of identification—which includes their legal name, current residential address in North Dakota and date of birth. Upon presenting their identification, they receive a ballot to vote.

In most other states, voters must register by a given deadline before Election Day. The deadline varies by state, with most falling between eight and 30 days before the election.

The table below provides details on states with same-day and Election Day registration, including statutes, state resources, verification procedures, locations and timeframes.

Implementing Same-Day Registration

Same-Day Registration Requirements

Proof of residency is a key requirement in all states that offer same-day registration. In a traditional (pre- Election Day) registration, election oicials have time to send a non-forwardable mailing to the prospective voter to verify the voter's residence before processing the registration application. Because that isn't possible with same-day registration, the prospective voter must present proof of residency at the time of registration or soon after registering. A current driver's license or ID card will suice in all states. In some states, documents such as a paycheck or utility bill with an address are acceptable for proving residence. A few states also permit an already-registered voter to vouch for the residency of an Election Day registrant.

All of the same-day registration states also require voters who register and vote on Election Day to present documentation to verify their identity. Some states require a photo ID; others accept IDs without a photo.

Ensuring Security

All states employ various measures to ensure the security of same-day voter registration. Many of the processes listed below are used in conjunction with one another. Common security measures include:

Proof of identity and residency. All states require prospective voters to show ID. Some states will allow a provisional ballot to be cast if the prospective voter cannot provide identification at the time of registration, but ID must be provided before it is counted in the election.

Casting of provisional ballots. Several states will count a ballot as provisional until proper ID is supplied or until the voter's application is fully checked.

State-wide voter systems. These are used to check if the voter has already voted and to check ID. Such systems can provide real-time checks, while others are used after registration and voting. Electronic poll books often accompany this type of security measure.

Oaths and sworn aidavits. Several states require same-day registrants to sign an aidavit or swear an oath that they are eligible to vote and have not already voted in the election.

Criminal penalties for fraudulent voting. Some states classify voting fraud as a felony, while others will refer suspected voting fraud to proper authorities to investigate.

In-person registration. States require those who register and vote on the same to do so in person.

Non-forwardable mailings. If it is returned as non-deliverable or is not returned signed by the voter, a second notice is sent. The case may be forwarded to proper authorities for investigation after a second unsuccessful attempt to confirm the voter's residency.

Restriction of location. Several states limit the locations where individuals can participate in same-day registration.

Cross-agency and interstate verification. Some states verify an applicant's information with numerous other state agencies and even with interstate organizations.

Potential Costs

Same-day registration procedures and costs vary within states. Some states indicate there is little additional cost to implement same-day registration, though costs may include:

The purchase of additional equipment, which could include electronic poll books or ballot-on-demand printers. Additional technology is not a requirement to implement same-day registration, however, and

Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire and Vermont have all conducted same-day registration without using electronic poll books.

If electronic poll books are used, an additional cost may be associated with connecting to a network, either within the polling place or connecting to the statewide voter registration database. This may also be diicult in more rural areas.

Updates of the existing statewide voter registration system to accommodate same-day registration.

Increased election staff or poll workers to process same-day registrations. This extra administrative task can be time-consuming at the same-day registration site and includes verifying registration information after the election. Many states report this is more a reallocation of costs and resources, though, rather than an additional cost.

Effect on Turnout

There is strong evidence that same-day and Election Day registration increase voter turnout, but the extent of the impact is diicult to conclude. Immediately following the implementation of same-day registration, states usually see a boost in voter numbers. States with same-day registration states also tend to outperform other states in terms of turnout percentages. Many states that have implemented same-day registration have historically produced higher voter numbers, making changes hard to gauge. Multiple studies place the effect between an increase of 3% to 7%, with an average of a 5% increase. Finally, studies reveal no conclusive evidence that same-day registration shapes partisan outcomes or whether certain populations are more likely to benefit.