Public Service Announcement

It occurred to me today that voter registration deadlines are going to start coming up soon, and that that being the case, it might be a good idea for someone to post them. And since I am the change I’ve been waiting for, I thought: why not me? After all, some of my readers might inexplicably have failed to register to vote, and others might feel like going out and doing voter registration but not have gotten around to it yet. So, below the fold, I have posted the deadlines for all the states and DC. I put links to the actual calendars; do check them, since while I did try to be careful, I’d hate for some typo of mine to disenfranchise anyone.

The Obama and McCain campaigns can probably set you up to do voter registration. On the Obama site, if you don’t want to do it in your area, click here, then click the state you’re interested in, and you will be able to find its various campaign offices. (Useful for people like me, who live in safe states and within driving distance of swing states.)

[UPDATE: On closer inspection, it’s only really easy to find your local office in some states. All have lots of info on events, etc., but not all have the useful ‘Find your local office’ button on the right, under ‘Take Action’. The ones with the useful button seem to be swing states, as one would expect. END UPDATE.]

Voter Registration Deadlines

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Alabama: “Voter registration is closed for the ten (10) days before an election.” By my count, that means that the deadline is Oct. 25.

Alaska: Oct. 5

Arizona: Oct. 6 at midnight

Arkansas: Oct. 6

California: October 20 2008

Colorado (pdf): Oct. 6

Connecticut: “up to the 7th day before the election.” By my count, this is Tues., Oct. 28.

Delaware: Oct. 11

Florida: Oct. 6

Georgia: October 6

Hawaii: Oct. 6

Idaho: Oct. 10, but election day registration is also available.

Illinois (pdf): Oct. 7, though something called “Grace Period Registration” is also possible Oct. 8 – 21. Grace Period Registration is described here (also pdf).

Indiana: Oct. 6

Iowa: 10 days before the election. By my count, this is Oct. 25. Election day registration also available.

Kansas: 15th day before the election. By my count, this is Oct. 20.

Kentucky: Oct. 6

Louisiana: Oct. 6

Maine: deadline to register by mail is Oct. 14. No deadline to register in person. Call to see whether you can turn in forms other people have completed in person after Oct. 14.

Maryland (pdf): Oct. 14

Massachusetts: 20 days before the election. By my count, this is Oct. 15.

Michigan (pdf): Oct. 6

Minnesota: Oct. 14. Election day registration available.

Mississippi: 30 days before election. By my count, this is Oct. 5.

Missouri: Fourth Wednesday prior to the election. By my count, this is Oct. 8.

Montana: Oct. 6. Late registration (must be done in county election office) available through close of polls.

Nebraska (pdf): Oct. 17. Registration in person available through Oct. 24.

Nevada: Oct. 4 to register by mail; Oct. 14 to register in person.

New Hampshire: Oct. 25. Election day voting available.

New Jersey: 21 days prior to election. By my count, this is Oct. 14.

New Mexico: 28 days prior to election. By my count, this is Oct. 7.

New York: Oct. 10

North Carolina: 25 days before the election. By my count, this is Oct. 10. In person registration and voting available 19-3 days before election.

North Dakota: does not have voter registration.

Ohio (pdf): Oct. 6

Oklahoma: Oct. 10

Oregon: Oct. 14

Pennsylvania: Oct. 6

Rhode Island: 30 days before election. By my count, this is Oct. 5.

South Carolina (pdf): Oct. 4

South Dakota: Oct. 20

Tennessee (pdf): Oct. 6

Texas: Oct. 6

Utah: 30 days before the election (by my count, Oct. 5); in person registration available through Oct. 20.

Vermont: Oct. 29

Virginia: 29 days before election. By my count, this is Oct. 6.

Washington: Oct. 4 for online and mail-in registration; voters not currently registered in Washington State can register in person through Oct. 20.

Washington DC: Oct. 6

West Virginia: Oct. 14

Wisconsin: by mail, Oct. 15; in person, through Nov. 3; election day registration available.

Wyoming (pdf): Oct. 6