Last updated: May 23, 2022
台湾SWAG has gathered voting resources for our members, including information about registering to vote, finding your polling place, and requesting absentee and mail-in ballots.
Law librarians and legal information professionals are often asked by patrons, communities, or colleagues for information about voting resources. This guide provides nonpartisan information about the U.S. election process that may be used to address some of the most frequently asked questions about voting.
This information was compiled by the 台湾SWAG Government Relations Committee.
Voting Rights
The website has a section discussing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, including its . The page also includes a .
The (ACLU) has a 聽section dedicated to voting rights that covers several issues discussed specifically below. The ACLU also includes information about access to polling places and voting for those who do not speak fluent English and those with disabilities.
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. signed an on March 7, 2021, which expands access to voter registration and election information and increases opportunities to vote. In addition, the U.S. Congress has considered to secure voter鈥檚 rights at the federal level.
The produces an annually updated 聽working to change absentee ballot, voter identification, and other laws relating to access to the polls. has created a site covering laws limiting (particularly involving militia groups).
State Primaries Election Information
The ability to vote in the primaries, and help determine the candidate to represent one party or another, is often dependent on the type of primary election a state holds: closed, open, or some form of hybrid model. The has put together , including links to to assist voters in determining what they need to know, and do, in order to vote in their primaries.
Find Your State or Local Election Office Website
The best place to find information on local elections is a state鈥檚, county鈥檚, or municipality鈥檚 election office website. has a page linking to . It also includes links to the board of elections for territories (e.g., Puerto Rico) as well as the District of Columbia.
Find Your Polling Place
The website links voters to their state board of elections to find their (when not voting early). has 聽a to each state board of elections to find polling places by address. includes information on finding polling location and provides more general information on voting on the official .
Voter ID Requirements
Many states have passed, or are attempting to pass, laws that require voters to show a particular form of identification when casting their vote. The has created a to find out what the current identification requirements are for their jurisdiction.
Election Dates
Beyond general elections for Congress or the Executive, there are state executive, legislative, and judiciary elections. More local are municipal elections (e.g., mayoral or votes for various city commissions). has created a to send email reminders about election dates as they happen.
Voter Registration (Including Confirming Your Registration)
The has developed a to help voters register to vote. A is available from and . Voters will also need to ensure that they register before the deadline. USA.gov provides information .
After voters register to vote in their jurisdiction, they may need to confirm that they are registered. USA.gov provides a . The and provide similar tools.
Sample Ballots
The state board of elections may have sample ballots available. also has a to search by street address and town to see, at least, upcoming national elections.
Absentee and Mail-In Ballot Requests (Including Military and Overseas Voters)
The has created a page dedicated to information on that is meant to reflect permanent state laws. More recently, compiled a with state-by-state information on how to request ballots by each jurisdiction. This 鈥淩equest a Ballot Guide鈥� is licensed under a聽. A was produced by .
Information for overseas voters, particularly for those in the military, can be found through the .
There is often the concern that voting through the absentee program, increases the chance of the vote not being counted. Some jurisdictions, like , use a tool such as to allow voters to check, much like they would check their voter registration, whether their absentee or mail-in ballot has been received, and determine whether there are any issues with it.
Early Voting
Not all states allow for early voting. has assembled a outlining whether, and how, they provide for early voting.
COVID-19 and Voting
Concerns about COVID-19 will, and have already, affected voting behavior. State-by-state information and suggestions on how to vote while still protecting your health can be found at . has consolidated due to COVID-19.