Research Guides: Voting Resources: Voting Basics

Voting Overview

How often do you vote?

Many people only vote every four years during the presidential election. However, elections occur frequently. If you are a United States citizen who meets the requirements to vote for:

Your representatives in Congress in both the House of Representatives and the Senate;
State elected officials like the governor and state legislators;
Local elected officials like mayor, school board representatives, and city council representatives; and
ballot initiatives that impact where you live.

It can be confusing, but the links on this page will help you sort it out. This section covers general information on voting in the United States, and later parts will have more details about voting in Memphis/Shelby County, voter registration, and absentee and early voting.

The more elections you vote in, and the more you know about who and what you are voting for, the more empowered you are as a citizen. Never think that your vote doesn't count - it does!

In The Guide

This guide can help you answer three questions:

Voter Guides

Voting and Elections Overview from USA.gov
Overview of everything you might need to know about how to vote in the United States.
Voting as a College Student | Vote.gov
Preparing to Vote: Age 18 and Under | Vote.gov
Voting With a Disability | Vote.gov
Voting in the Military | Federal Voting Assitance Program
Voting After a Felony Conviction | Vote.gov