April 24, 2026
Are you a new U.S. citizen? Make sure you check off these items as a first-time voter, so that you’re ready to fully participate in our democracy!
- Register to vote. You can head to online resources like vote.gov or visit your local election office to check your registration status.
- See what’s on your ballot. Do some research on the issues and candidates that will be impacting your community, so that you can make an informed decision.
- Locate your polling place. Determine where you should go to cast your ballot, based on your address.
- Check to see what documents you need. Some states require some form of ID when you cast your vote.
- Secure language support. If English isn’t your primary language, head to the vote.gov to contact your state or local election office to see the services available near you.
- Vote! You can cast your vote via a mail-in ballot or head to the polls directly. Your vote powers our democracy!
Additional Resources for the First-Time Voter
- Know your voting rights! The Department of Justice has published several guides in different languages at justice.gov/crt/voting-rights-policy-and-guidance
- Sign up to be a poll worker. In addition to voting, you can safeguard the sanctity of our elections and the rights of other voters at eac.gov/help-america-vote