Who can – and can’t – vote in the US election, and how old do people need to be?

In the United States, as the nation heads to the polls, many are eager to understand the voting process and who is eligible to participate in shaping the country’s future. It is essential to be a US citizen to vote in federal, state, and local elections, even if you reside outside the country. Interestingly, US citizens born overseas with no prior residency in the US can still vote based on their parents’ last US state of residence. Dual citizens, individuals with citizenship in the US and another country, also have the right to vote.

State-level regulations dictate that voters must meet residency requirements, vote in their primary state of residence, and register in time for the voter registration deadline, except in North Dakota, which does not mandate voter registration. Homeless individuals can still vote by presenting voter identification. However, non-citizens, individuals convicted of felonies, those with mental disabilities, and residents of US territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, US Virgin Islands, and Northern Mariana Islands are ineligible to vote in US elections.

To cast a vote in the US, individuals must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, with some states allowing 17-year-olds turning 18 by Election Day to vote in primaries. Notably, the drinking age in the US is 21, making it possible to vote before being able to consume alcohol legally. It is crucial for eligible voters to understand and comply with voting regulations to ensure their voices are heard in the democratic process.