How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote by using the national voter registration mail application, which can be found at www.fabnit.com/nvra_update.pdf or you can contact your local or state election office for your state specific voter registration form, using the interactive map on this site. You can also register to vote at many public agencies, such as departments of motor vehicles, public libraries, public assistance agencies, or your local board of elections.

What are the methods of voting?
There is no one-size fits all approach to voting. Elections are administered on a local level, so there is no guarantee that you will vote the same way within a state. Generally speaking, the most popular methods of voting are electronic voting or optical scan voting. Electronic voting or direct recording electronic ("DRE") technology records your vote, which you select by marking a button or touching a screen, directly to the memory device of the machine - there is no paper ballot. Optical scan voting or "marksense" systems tabulate votes based on the darkest mark detected on the paper ballot, which is then counted by a machine when the polls close.

When can I use an absentee ballot?
Because elections are administered on the state and local level, the reasons for using an absentee ballot vary. Some states allow "no cause" absentee balloting, which means that you do not have to state a reason to vote absentee, so you can vote absentee even if you know you will be in your jurisdiction on Election Day. Others will only allow a voter to vote absentee if they will not be in the jurisdiction in which they are registered to vote. You should check with your state elections office to learn the requirement for you to cast an absentee ballot - this information can be found at http://www.eac.gov/voter/how-to-contact-your-state-election-office. Your state elections office can also tell you whether or nor you can vote in person prior to Election Day.

What is the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)?
The Help America Vote Act ("HAVA") was signed into law on October 29, 2002 by President George W. Bush. HAVA was enacted in direct response to the controversies related to the 2000 elections. The Election Assistance Commission was created by HAVA, as well as requirements for provisional ballots, the replacement of punch card ballots, and state wide voter registration databases.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
If you make a mistake on your paper ballot, you have the right to request a new one from your local election official. If you are voting on an electronic voting machine, you must be very careful to check if the machine indicates that it will record the votes you have cast. Once the vote has been cast on an electronic machine, there is no way for you to vote again.

What can I do if my right to vote is challenged?
If your right to vote is challenged, HAVA requires that you must be given a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is a ballot this is segregated from the other ballots and will only be counted once your voter registration has been verified.