A chart listing residency requirements for voting in U.S. federal, state, and local elections.
Subjects:
The Supreme Court decision of March 21, 1972, declared lengthy requirements for voting in state and local elections unconstitutional and suggested that 30 days was an ample period. Most of the states have changed or eliminatedtheir durational residency requirements to comply with the ruling, as shown.
| State | Residency requirement |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No durational residency requirement. 10-day registration requirement. In-person registration by 5 p.m., eleven days before election date. |
| Alaska | 30-day residency requirement. If otherwise qualified but has not been a resident of the election district for at least 30 days preceding the date of a presidential election, is entitled to register and vote for presidential and vice-presidential candidates. |
| Arizona | 30-day residency requirement. Residency in the state 29 days preceding the election. |
| Arkansas | No durational residency requirement. |
| California | Must be a registered voter 29 days before an election; 20-day residency requirement. |
| Colorado | Residency requirement of 25 days immediately preceding the election. |
| Connecticut | No durational residency requirement. Registration deadline 14th day before election; registration and party enrollment deadline by 12 noon the day before primary. |
| Delaware | No durational residency requirement. Must reside in Delaware and register by the last day that the books are open for registration. |
| District of Columbia | No durational residency requirement. Registration stops 30 days before any election. Voters must inform Board of Elections of change of address within 30 days of moving. |
| Florida | No durational residency requirement. 29-day registration requirement before national election; 29-day registration requirement before first and second state primary. |
| Georgia | No durational residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| Hawaii | No durational residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| Idaho | 30-day residency requirement. May register 25 days prior to any election with County Clerk. If eligible to vote, an individual may register in person at the polling place on election day at the resident precinct and complete a registration card, make an oath, and provide proof of residence. |
| Illinois | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Indiana | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Iowa | No durational residency requirement.10-day registration requirement. In-person registration by 5 p.m., eleven days before election date. |
| Kansas | 14-day residency requirement. |
| Kentucky | 28-day residency requirement. |
| Louisiana | No durational residency requirement. Register 24 days prior to any election. |
| Maine | No durational residency requirement. |
| Maryland | No durational residency requirement. |
| Massachusetts | No durational residency requirement. No residency required to register to vote. |
| Michigan | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Minnesota | Permits registration and voting on election day with approved ID; 20-day residency requirement. |
| Mississippi | 30-day residency requirement. 30 days registration required; 60 days if registration is by mail. |
| Missouri | No durational residency requirement. Must be registered by the fourth Wednesday prior to election. |
| Montana | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Nebraska | No durational residency requirement. Registration deadline is second Friday prior to election. |
| Nevada | 30-day residency requirement. |
| New Hampshire | No durational residency requirement. Registration deadline is 10 days prior to election. Same-day registrations for federal and state elections. |
| New Jersey | 30-day residency requirement. |
| New Mexico | No durational residency requirement. Must register 28 days before election. |
| New York | 30-day residency requirement. |
| North Carolina | 30-day residency requirement. |
| North Dakota | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Ohio | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Oklahoma | No durational residency requirement. |
| Oregon | Must register by close of business day of registering agencies (which varies), 21st day before the election. |
| Pennsylvania | 30-day residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| Rhode Island | 30-day residency requirement. |
| South Carolina | No durational residency requirement. Registration certificate not valid for 30 days, but if you move within the state you can vote in old precinct during the 30 days. |
| South Dakota | No durational residency requirement. 15-day registration requirement. |
| Tennessee | 30-day residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| Texas | No durational residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| Utah | 30-day residency requirement. |
| Vermont | 10–12 day residency requirement. Administrative cut-off date for processing applications is second Saturday before the election, by 12 noon. |
| Virginia | No durational residency requirement. |
| Washington | 30-day residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| West Virginia | No durational residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
| Wisconsin | 10-day residency requirement. |
| Wyoming | No durational residency requirement. 30-day registration requirement. |
Source: Questionnaires to the states.
