Voter registration deadlines and more: everything you need to know

Every year, millions of Americans are turned away from the polls due to easily avoidable issues, including missing a registration deadline or failing to update a registration after moving.

According to the most recent census data, in 2022, 69.1% of eligible voting-age citizens were registered to vote. 

But Tuesday's National Voter Registration Day looks to bring that number closer to 100% as the presidential election approaches. 

Thousands of organizations are set to host a nationwide democracy blitz to create awareness about voter registration opportunities, as well as host in-person events to ensure every eligible person is ready to cast their ballots in November. 

Since its inception in 2012, National Voter Registration Day has helped register over 5 million Americans.

If you are looking to get registered today, you can register online in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. 

For Virginia, register online here before Oct. 15. If you miss that deadline, you can still register in person when you go to vote. Same day registration begins Oct. 16. You can also use this same link to request a mail-in ballot or to update your name, address or political party if you are already registered.

For Maryland, register online here. You can also use this same link to request a mail-in ballot or to update your name, address or political party if you are already registered.

For D.C., register online here. You can use this same link to update your name, address or political party if you are already registered.

Early voting and other voting deadlines are quickly approaching. Here are a list of dates you may need to know:

Virginia
Sept. 20: Early voting begins at local registrar’s offices
Oct. 15: Deadline to register online or change existing registration
Oct. 16: Same day registration begins
Oct. 25: Deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot
Oct. 26: Early voting begins at local voter registration offices
Nov. 2: Last day of early voting
Nov. 5: Election day

Maryland
Oct. 24: Early voting begins
Oct. 29: Deadline for mail-in requests for a mail-in ballot to be received by election offices
Oct. 31: Last day of early voting
Nov. 1: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot online
Nov. 5: Deadline to request a mail-in ballot in person
Nov. 5: Election day

D.C.
Sept. 30: Board of Elections sends mail-in ballots to all currently registered voters
Oct. 5: Deadline to register online
Oct. 11: Mail-in ballot drop boxes open
Oct. 15: Deadline for mail-in voter registration to be received by election offices
Oct. 21: Deadline to request absentee ballots
Oct. 28: Early voting begins
Nov. 3: Last day of early voting
Nov. 5: Election day