Pack the snacks. Bring the kids. Cast your vote.
Everything a busy mom needs for the 2026 election is right here.
Register to vote See my ballotVoting to-do list
Tap an item to jump there. We'll check it off for you.Register in about two minutes
Already registered? Double-check anyway. If you've moved or changed your name since the last election, you need to update your registration.
- Have your driver's license or state ID handy. The last four digits of your Social Security number work too.
- Moved recently? Register at your new address.
- Many states close registration about four weeks before Election Day, so don't wait.
Who's making decisions for your family?
From school budgets to child care, the people on your ballot shape your kids' everyday lives. Whatever you believe, you deserve a say.
School board
Decides what happens in your kids' classrooms- School budgets and class sizes
- Curriculum and book policies
- School calendars, start times, and phone rules
- Safety plans and school meals
State legislature and governor
Sets the rules for your state- Whether to create, expand, or change paid family leave
- Childcare funding and costs
- Who qualifies for Medicaid, including coverage after giving birth
- How much the state spends on public schools
Congress
Votes on national programs families use- Whether to expand, keep, or cut SNAP (food assistance)
- Whether to expand, keep, or cut Medicaid funding
- The Child Tax Credit
- National paid leave proposals
County and city
Shapes the neighborhood you're raising kids in- Parks, libraries, and playgrounds
- Local health clinics and maternal health services
- Housing and zoning decisions
- Roads, sidewalks, and school crossing safety
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They're deciding either way. Make sure you're part of it.
See what's on my ballotYour ballot and your polling place
Type in your address and VOTE411, a free nonpartisan guide from the League of Women Voters Education Fund, shows every race on your ballot, including school board and local races, plus where and when to vote.
See what's on my ballot
Every candidate and ballot measure for your address, with candidates' answers in their own words.
Open my ballot on VOTE411Find my polling place
Your polling location, hours, early voting options, and what ID to bring.
Find my polling place on VOTE411Or look it up right here
Type your address and VOTE411 shows your ballot, your polling place, and its hours.
Make a plan so you don't forget
Picking a time to vote makes you more likely to follow through. Choose when you'll vote and add it to your calendar in one tap.
Early voting dates and hours vary by county. Check yours on VOTE411 before you pick.
The Apple and Outlook version comes with reminders the day before and an hour before. In Google Calendar, you can add a reminder after you save. Every event links back here so you can check what to bring.
Get text and email reminders
Rock the Vote will send you reminders about registration deadlines, early voting, and Election Day for your address. It's free and nonpartisan, and you can stop anytime.
Sign up for remindersRegistered with the form above? You're already signed up. Rock the Vote automatically adds new registrants to its election reminders.
The rules where you live
Every state does it a little differently. Pick yours to see exactly what ID to bring, when the polls are open, whether you can register on the spot, and whether your job has to give you time off.
Rules for the November 3, 2026 general election. ID and poll hours come from the National Conference of State Legislatures (September 2026). Same-day registration comes from the Center for Election Innovation & Research's 2026 report. Time-off rules come from a September 2026 survey of state employment laws. Rules can change and some vary by county, so confirm with your local election office at vote.gov.
What to bring (and who)
Your checklist, plus the questions every mom asks before heading to the polls.
Pack your voting bag
- Your ID, if your state asks for one. Many states want a photo ID like a driver's license or passport. Some accept a utility bill or bank statement. A few don't need any ID. Check your state.
- Only if you're registering at the polls: proof of address. Already registered? Skip this one. If you're registering the same day you vote, bring a utility bill, bank statement, lease, or paycheck with your name and current address.
- Your picks. A printed or saved sample ballot from VOTE411, so you're not deciding on the spot.
- Kid supplies. Snacks, water, a small toy, and a charged phone for backup entertainment.
- Stroller or carrier. Handy if there's a line.
You don't need your voter registration card in most states. If you're voting for the first time and registered by mail, federal law may require you to show ID, which can be a photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government document with your name and address.
My kids into the voting booth?
Nearly every state lets you bring your minor children into the booth with you. It's also one of the best ways to show them how voting works. A few states set an age limit or leave details to the poll workers, so if you're unsure, call your local election office before you go.
A stroller?
Polling places have to be accessible, so there should be room to get a stroller through. Lines can be the hard part. Early voting, mid-morning, and early afternoon usually have the shortest waits. Bring snacks, a small toy, and a charged phone for backup entertainment.
My phone?
You can bring your phone, and in most places you can look at notes or a sample ballot on it. Keep it on silent and skip phone calls inside. The big rule to know: some states don't allow photos of your marked ballot (the "ballot selfie"), and some don't allow any photos inside the polling place. Take your "I voted" selfie outside to be safe.
Notes or a marked sample ballot?
Doing your research at nap time and bringing your picks with you is smart. Print or save your choices from VOTE411 so you're not trying to remember school board candidates while a toddler is climbing you.
A baby I need to nurse?
Every state protects your right to breastfeed in public. You can feed your baby while you wait in line. If you need to step out, let a poll worker know you're coming back.
Nobody, because I can't get there on Election Day?
Most states offer early in-person voting, and many let anyone vote by mail. Look up your options on VOTE411, and request a mail ballot early. Many states also require employers to give you time off to vote. Check your state.
Your rights at the polls
Keep these in your back pocket. If something goes wrong, you have more options than you think.
In line when polls close?
Stay in line. If you're in line before closing time, you get to vote.
Name not on the list?
Ask for a provisional ballot. Federal law guarantees you can cast one, and it gets counted once your eligibility is confirmed.
Made a mistake?
Ask a poll worker for a new ballot before you turn yours in. You don't have to cast a ballot with an error on it.
Need help?
If you have a disability or trouble reading or writing English, you can bring someone to help you, as long as it isn't your employer or union rep.
Accessible voting
Every polling place must have a way for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently.
Time off work
In 28 states and DC, your employer has to give you time to vote if your work hours don't leave enough. Many states require it to be paid. See your state's rule.
No one can pressure you
It's illegal to intimidate, threaten, or harass voters. Your ballot is secret, and who you vote for is your business.
Having a problem at the polls? The nonpartisan Election Protection hotline has trained volunteers ready to help.
Voting 101
No such thing as a silly question. Here are the basics, in plain language.
What does registering to vote mean?
Registering puts your name on your state's official list of voters. It's how election officials know you're eligible and which ballot to give you based on your address. You usually only have to do it once, unless you move or change your name.
If I register, do I have to vote?
No. Registering just gives you the option. Voting is always your choice, and no one will penalize you for skipping an election.
Who can vote?
You can vote if you're a U.S. citizen, you'll be 18 by Election Day, and you meet your state's residency rules. Rules for people with past felony convictions are different in every state, and in many states your right to vote is restored after you finish your sentence.
How do I know if I'm already registered?
I moved or changed my name. Do I need to register again?
Yes, you'll need to update your registration. That includes a new last name after marriage or divorce, or a move, even within the same town. You can do it with the same registration form.
Do I have to pick a political party?
No. You can register without joining a party. Some states only let party members vote in primary elections, but in the November general election, everyone gets the same ballot no matter how they registered.
Will registering sign me up for jury duty?
Some states use voter lists to find jurors. Most also use driver's license and state ID lists, though, so skipping registration usually won't keep you off a jury.
Will anyone know who I voted for?
No. Your ballot is secret. Some things are public record, though, like your name, address, and whether you voted in an election. Who you voted for never is.
What's the difference between early voting, voting by mail, and Election Day?
They're three ways to cast the same ballot. Early voting means going in person on a day before Election Day. Voting by mail (also called absentee voting) means filling out your ballot at home and mailing it or dropping it off. Election Day voting means going to your polling place on November 3. Options vary by state, so check yours on VOTE411.
What's the difference between a primary and a general election?
A primary is where parties pick their candidates, usually in the spring or summer. The general election is the final vote where those candidates face each other. The election on November 3, 2026 is a general election.
Do I have to vote in every race on my ballot?
No. You can skip any race you don't feel ready to decide, and your votes in the other races still count.
What's a provisional ballot?
It's a backup ballot you can ask for if there's a problem at the polls, like your name not being on the list or not having the right ID. It gets set aside until officials confirm you're eligible. In some states you may need to take an extra step afterward, like showing your ID within a few days. Check your state's rules.
What if English isn't my first language?
Many counties provide ballots and help in other languages. You can also bring someone to help you, as long as it isn't your employer or union rep. For help in Spanish, call 888-VE-Y-VOTA.
Does one vote really make a difference?
Especially in local races, yes. School board, city council, and state legislative races are sometimes decided by a handful of votes, and some have even ended in ties. The fewer people who vote in a race, the more each vote counts.