Voter Resources
Voting is a civic right and duty. When every citizen votes, we gain collective power against forces with money or influence.
But voting in the United States can seem complicated, especially when you are voting for the first time or in a new state. First, remember that election rules differ from state to state, so start with your state’s voting website, which will give you the tools you need to register. A simple Google search with “State Name” and “Register to Vote” should get you started. For instance, a search for "Louisiana register to vote" took me to https://www.sos.la.gov/elections-voting/online-voter-registration, which has links to online registration, upcoming elections, and a helpline.
Here are some reliable, nonpartisan resources to help you register, understand your ballot, find your polling place, learn about candidates and issues, and understand your rights as a voter.
VOTE411 — League of Women Voters
You can enter your address to find your polling place, see what is on your ballot, check voter registration information, learn about early and mail-in voting, and find information about candidates and ballot measures. VOTE411 provides personalized information based on where you live. (League of Women Voters)
Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia provides information about candidates, elections, political offices, ballot measures, voting rules, and election-related topics. Its voter guide resources can help explain the difference between a sample ballot and a voter guide and help voters research the contests on their ballot. (Ballotpedia Voter Guide)
South Asian Language Resources
APIAVote — Voting Information in Your Language
One of the best resources for South Asian voters.
APIAVote provides basic information about voting in several South Asian languages, including:
Bengali / Bangla
Hindi
Punjabi
Urdu
It explains how to register and vote, where to vote, and your rights as a voter. APIAVote also provides multilingual assistance through its voter hotline. (APIAVote)
APIAVote Multilingual Voter Hotline
Have a question about voting? You can ask for help in your language.
The 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683) hotline offers bilingual assistance in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and Bengali, as well as several other Asian languages. Assistance can include questions about registration, polling places, voting procedures, and voting rights. (APIAVote)
Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC
Voting information and voter-rights resources specifically for Asian Americans.
AAJC provides voter-readiness materials and information about language access and voting rights. Its materials have been translated into Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, among other Asian languages. AAJC also works with APIAVote on the multilingual voter hotline. (Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC)
Your Right to Language Assistance
You may have a legal right to language assistance when voting.
Federal law requires certain jurisdictions to provide voting materials and assistance in languages other than English. In addition, federal law allows voters who need assistance because of difficulty reading or understanding English, among other reasons, to bring someone of their choice to assist them in the voting booth, subject to certain restrictions. (Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC)
