While every state determines their own registration deadline, the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) (1993) does not allow states to set a deadline more than 30 days before an election. Deadlines vary from up to 30 days in some states to states which allow registration through Election Day. Allowing Election Day registration increases access for voters and can boost voter turnout.
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State allows Election Day registration
(22 states + D.C.)
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State registration deadline is 1-15 days prior to Election Day
(6 states)
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State registration deadline is 16-30 days prior to Election Day
(22 states)
*Note: North Dakota does not require voter registration.
Recommended citation: Movement Advancement Project. "Voter Registration Deadlines." https://www.mapresearch.org/democracy-maps/voter_registration_deadlines. Accessed [day of access]
Breakdown by Population
*Note: These percentages reflect the voting-eligible population, as reported by the United States Election Project.
38 % of voting-eligible population lives in states with Election Day registration
15 % of voting-eligible population lives in states with registration deadline between 1-15 days prior to Election Day
47 % of voting-eligible population lives in states with registration deadline between 16-30 days prior to Election Day
