Explore the map to find your state’s requirements!
Pre-18 Registration Laws
- 50% of U.S. teens: Preregistration starts at age 16 or earlier
- 20% more teens: States that allow at least one year to register before the first election but do not start at age 16
- Remaining 30%: States with shorter preregistration periods; most have time to register in senior year
Alabama
Voter registration age: 18 by May 19th, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about Alabama →Arizona
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next regular general election.)
See all about Arizona →Arkansas
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about Arkansas →Connecticut
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next regular election.)
See all about Connecticut →Indiana
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general or municipal election.)
See all about Indiana →Kentucky
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about Kentucky →Mississippi
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about Mississippi →Montana
Voter registration age: 18 by Jun 2nd, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about Montana →New Hampshire
Voter registration age: 18 by Sep 8th, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about New Hampshire →New Mexico
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about New Mexico →Ohio
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about Ohio →Pennsylvania
Voter registration age: 18 by May 19th, 2026 (18 by the next primary, special, municipal, or general election.)
See all about Pennsylvania →South Carolina
Voter registration age: 18 by Jun 9th, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about South Carolina →South Dakota
Voter registration age: 18 by Jun 2nd, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about South Dakota →Tennessee
Voter registration age: 18 by Aug 6th, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about Tennessee →Vermont
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about Vermont →West Virginia
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about West Virginia →Wisconsin
Voter registration age: 18 by Apr 7th, 2026 (18 by the next election.)
See all about Wisconsin →Wyoming
Voter registration age: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026 (18 by the next general election.)
See all about Wyoming →
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Mar 30th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Mar 27th, 2026.
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Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
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