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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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While voter registration deadlines have already passed across much of the country, voters in 21 states and Washington, D.C., can still register and cast a ballot on Election Day.
The last-minute chance to register to vote comes amid a closely watched midterm election, the results of which will determine which party controls Congress. Republicans are defending narrow House and Senate majorities, while Democrats are optimistic that competitive races could lead to flipping control of both chambers in their favor. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to win control of the Senate and a net gain of three seats to win control of the House. There are also several competitive gubernatorial races.
Early voter turnout has already been high, breaking records in some states. While most states require voters to register days or weeks before an election, 21 states and Washington, D.C., give eligible residents a last-minute opportunity to participate by allowing Election Day registration. Supporters of last-minute registrations say it can help boost participation by capturing voters who recently moved, missed registration deadlines or became newly interested in an election. Critics have argued it can place additional strain on election administration.
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"While same-day registration tends to help certain voter groups more, including young and low-income voters and frequent movers, most studies find that the reform does not generally favor one major party over the other," Northeastern University political science professor Costas Panagopoulos told Newsweek on Tuesday. "Voters in both parties take advantage of it."
The states that allow same-day voter registration during a midterm election are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Washington, D.C., also allows same-day voter registration.
Alaska and Rhode Island permit same-day registration only in presidential elections, when late registrants may cast ballots for the president and vice president but not other offices.
Several of these states are home to competitive Senate races this election cycle, such as Iowa, Maine and Michigan.
Senate Races
Iowa Senate: Ashley Hinson vs. Josh Turek
Representative Ashley Hinson, a Republican, and Democrat state representative Josh Turek are vying for Iowa’s Senate seat vacated when Republican Joni Ernst chose not to run for reelection. Iowa has not elected a Democratic senator since 2008, but polls have shown a neck-and-neck race in a state where the economy and access to affordable health care are at the top of many voters' minds.
Maine Senate: Susan Collins vs. Troy Jackson
Republican Senator Susan Collins is defending her seat against Democratic former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson in a state Trump has lost three times, making the race a key Democratic pickup opportunity despite Collins' long-standing reputation as a moderate and her ability to win in the left-leaning state.
Michigan Senate: Mike Rogers vs. Abdul El-Sayed
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican former Representative Mike Rogers are locked in a closely contested race for an open seat in Michigan after Democratic Senator Gary Peters decided not to run for reelection. Both parties have poured resources into the state as recent polling has shown a tight contest.
What to Bring to Register to Vote on Election Day
Voters seeking to register on Election Day typically must provide proof of identity and proof of residency, though the exact requirements vary by state. Commonly accepted documents include a driver's license, state-issued identification card, passport, utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government document showing the voter's current address. Voters should check their state's election website before heading to the polls.
Where to Register to Vote on Election Day
In most states that allow Election Day registration, voters can register either at their polling place or at a designated election office before casting a ballot. Some states direct same-day registrants to a county elections office, local clerk's office or voter service center, while others permit registration directly at polling locations.
What Happens Next
Polls remain open on Election Day and are set to close at varying times depending on the state. For states where people are still able to register to vote on Election Day, polls are closing at:
- 8 p.m. (local time): California, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Washington, D.C.
- **7 p.m. (local time):**Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Oliver Pritchard.
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