Whatever your politics, showing up is the point. Here’s a running countdown to Election Day, plus a set of nonpartisan resources to help you register, check your status, and figure out exactly how and where you’ll vote.
Mark your calendar
Countdown to the 2026 Midterms
Election Day — Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Key date
General Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Many states also hold primaries and have their own registration and mail-ballot deadlines well before that — check your state’s election office (linked below) for your specific dates.
Register to vote, or check your status
- Vote.gov — the U.S. government’s official portal to register to vote or update your registration in any state.
- Vote.org — Am I Registered? — quickly check your current registration status.
- USA.gov — Confirm Your Voter Registration — official federal guide to confirming your status by state.
Find your ballot and polling place
- Vote411.org — run by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters Education Fund; enter your address for a personalized sample ballot, polling place, and candidate information.
- CanIVote.org — run by the National Association of Secretaries of State; links directly to your state’s official election office.
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission — Register and Vote in Your State — federal directory of every state’s election office and rules.
Ways to vote: early, absentee, and mail
- Vote.org — Absentee Ballot Request — request a mail ballot where your state allows it.
- Vote.org — Early Voting Calendar — see if your state offers early in-person voting and when it starts.
Voter ID requirements
ID rules vary widely by state — some require photo ID, some accept other documents, and some require none for most voters. Ballotpedia’s Voter Identification Laws by State is a well-sourced, nonpartisan reference to check what you’ll need to bring.
Need help? Election Protection Hotline
If you run into a problem registering or voting — or just have a question on Election Day — the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition runs a free hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683), call or text. Visit 866ourvote.org for additional language lines and more information.
These links point to official government sources and long-standing nonpartisan organizations. Rules and deadlines change, so always double-check specifics with your own state or local election office before you rely on them.