NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm interested in registering to vote for the midterm elections in November. The trouble is, my 18th birthday is on the same day as the election itself -- November 7th. Now, everything I've read so far states that as long as you turn 18 before the election, you can still register to vote. Do you think turning 18 the day of will still be OK?

Please, somebody answer my question, and save me the trouble of delving into the bottomless depths of state bureaucracy...

I had the same problem (kinda) my 18th fell right before the election and long after voter registration closed. The city clerk's office went ahead and registered me, I had to sign a form stating that I would be 18 on the election date and provide proof of my bithdate (my driver licence IIRC).

I didn't get a voter registration card, sample ballot, or anything else though until the next election.

I'd call your county clerk and ask on it.

That's kinda like what I read about. Apparently, you can *register* to vote at 17, as long as you turn 18 before the election. But it still boils down to whether or not it "counts" if the election's on the same day.

Still, if I can't cast a serious vote because I'm *one* day too young, while others are free to cast "joke votes" and other crap like that 'cause they happened to be born Nov. 6, well... that'll be frustrating, to say the least.

Yes i believe registering early isnt a problem in your case

youre not the first person with this problem.

give the county clerk a call.

in some states you can register to vote at the DMV, in some you can register the same day you vote. all states have provisions for people in your circumstance

That's kinda like what I read about. Apparently, you can *register* to vote at 17, as long as you turn 18 before the election. But it still boils down to whether or not it "counts" if the election's on the same day.

Well, go down to your clerk's office and ask. Since you legally turn 18 the minute it hits midnight, I can't imagine them saying that it doesn't count.

Besides, usually they are all too happy to get young people to vote because generally we don't.

Well, go down to your clerk's office and ask. Since you legally turn 18 the minute it hits midnight, I can't imagine them saying that it doesn't count.
Hey, yeah, that's right, I didn't think of that. Well, I guess I will call them just to make sure. But thanks for the responses, anyway. :)

That's kinda like what I read about. Apparently, you can *register* to vote at 17, as long as you turn 18 before the election. But it still boils down to whether or not it "counts" if the election's on the same day.

Still, if I can't cast a serious vote because I'm *one* day too young, while others are free to cast "joke votes" and other crap like that 'cause they happened to be born Nov. 6, well... that'll be frustrating, to say the least.On a side note--we share a birthday. :D

And good on you for taking voting so seriously. Since you are of age on the election day, I'd guess you're probably good, but take NERVUN's advice and check with your local registrar.

How strange, this "registration" process. Here, you are sent a "voting card" if you are eligible, and you are eligible by being at least 18 on the day of election. That's all you need. There is no such thing as a "registration."

Sounds like a good birthday outing.
And reminds me that I need to get around to filling in that voter registration card.
When's the election, exactly? What's the deadline?

Here, somebody comes round with a form for each voting age member of your family and leaves it at your house.

You fill it in, takes about 10 seconds.

A couple of weeks later somebody else comes round and collects it.

You turn up at the polling station with photographic ID (EU driving licence, EU passport, or UK voter registration card)

Vote.

Pretty simple. No effort required.

Sounds like a good birthday outing.
And reminds me that I need to get around to filling in that voter registration card.
When's the election, exactly? What's the deadline?
Congressional midterms are November 7th, and I believe the deadline's 10 days prior to that.

How strange, this "registration" process. Here, you are sent a "voting card" if you are eligible, and you are eligible by being at least 18 on the day of election. That's all you need. There is no such thing as a "registration."
Yeah, but that's because you crazy people actually want people to vote, while as here, the idea seems to be to keep people from voting, lest the lower classes get uppity and start demanding shit from their government.

How strange, this "registration" process. Here, you are sent a "voting card" if you are eligible, and you are eligible by being at least 18 on the day of election. That's all you need. There is no such thing as a "registration."
I too find "registration" a curious concept. I got mailed my voter card before the election I was eligible to vote in without registering.

Here you can register as soon as your 17. Hell, you can try and register before that and they'll resend you the forms when you turn 17. This means that as soon as your 18th birthday comes around, you're ready to vote.