The 2026 midterms are in the books, and Americans showed up in some of the biggest numbers for a midterm in more than a century. Next up is the big one: the 2028 presidential election. 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 2028 Presidential Election
Election Day — Tuesday, November 7, 2028
Key dates
- Presidential primaries and caucuses: expected to run through the first half of 2028. Each state and party sets its own dates, so check your state’s election office (linked below) once the calendar is announced.
- General Election Day: Tuesday, November 7, 2028. Registration and mail-ballot deadlines come well before that and vary by state.
- Inauguration Day: Saturday, January 20, 2029. The next president’s term begins at noon.
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.