Since the 1920 ratification of the 19th amendment, which finally guaranteed women the right to vote, we have made numerous strides toward equality across the board. This year alone, women are running—and winning—in record numbers in midterm primaries for U.S. Senate, House, and governor. But who actually gets elected depends on who shows up to vote on Election Day, November 6.
In short, it all comes back to voting. And though Women’s Equality Day is a day worth observing—the U.S. commemorates it on August 26 each year since 1971—this year makes it clear that there’s still work to be done. The stakes are high, and although women traditionally outvote men even in non-presidential years, that doesn’t mean it’s always easy for us.
Every state has its own election rules. Many people don’t have all the facts about new, stricter laws, such as photo I.D. requirements, which have been adopted by more states in recent years. These laws can have an outsized effect on women and minorities.
The danger, says voting-rights advocate Kathleen Unger, is that confusion or a lack of information can grow into a sense of intimidation, and those fears can ultimately “deter people from voting—even though they have the requisite I.D.”
In honor of the generations of suffragettes who fought so American women could claim equality at the ballot box, here’s a Glamour rundown of facts you should know to feel confident going into Election Day.
Who can and can’t vote?
Very broadly, you have the right to vote in most elections if you are a U.S. citizen who will be 18 or older on Election Day. You may have to meet residency requirements for the state where you plan to vote and register by a deadline. (Exception: North Dakota does not make voters register.)
Some states do not allow people to vote if they have been convicted of a felony or declared “mentally incapacitated.” You can check your state’s policies here.
But you do not lose the right to vote because you are physically disabled, do not speak English, do not have a driver’s license or a diploma, or even necessarily because you are homeless.
How do you register to vote?
Start at vote.gov if you want to enroll as a new voter or if you’ve moved and need to re-register in a new state. (Your voter registration doesn’t follow you around.) If you think you may be registered but aren’t sure, check vote.org.
Does every U.S. voter have to present photo identification?
Short answer: No.
Aside from a federal law that requires identification from certain first-time voters nationwide, the rules vary widely by state. Voters have to show some form of I.D. in 34 states in this year’s elections, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Some states are stricter than others.
Generally accepted: a valid state driver’s license or non-driver I.D. card, a U.S. passport, or a military I.D. Depending on where you vote, it may be OK to show a student I.D., a handgun license, a tribal I.D., a government employee badge, or a public assistance card. Voters in some places can use a Social Security card, a paycheck or bank statement, a utility bill, a credit card, or a birth certificate.
Women, take special note: Some states have a record of questioning or rejecting female voters’ documents at the polls if they show a different last name than the one used to register—even if you changed your name because you got married.
Check your state’s requirements here or here.
If I don’t have I.D. today, will it stop me from voting in November?
Not necessarily. It can depend on timing.
Find out ASAP what identification you need to vote by checking with your state or local voting authority or groups like the League of Women Voters and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. If you don’t have what you need, you may still be able to act. (A rush passport can arrive in six weeks or less, or you can hit the DMV for a license or non-driver I.D.) Unger’s non-profit, VoteRiders, offers free help with birth certificates and name-change documents.
If you lack I.D. on Election Day, all is still not necessarily lost: You can ask to vote on what’s called a provisional ballot. Sometimes this buys you a few days to present an I.D. (good news if you forgot or misplaced it). In other cases, election officials will consider other proof of identity, such as your signature.
Some states will waive I.D. rules because of disability, poverty, or even religious objection to being photographed.
If a poll worker turns me away, am I done?
Not before you ask some questions. Even if you do your homework, you may still run into static when you try to vote. That’s the most critical moment to know your rights—and defend them.
The person checking voters—even in major cities—might be a temporary staffer working a long day after minimal training. Experienced poll workers may miss updates to the rules. Lists get screwed up. No matter what the issue, it takes confidence for a voter to push back if she’s challenged, to ask a supervisor to step in, or to request a translator.
Knowing the rules, and even bringing them along, can help: VoteRiders makes wallet-sized info cards for every state. If polling hours end while you’re on line, don’t assume that automatically means you can’t vote—and given how close elections can be, don’t quit even if pundits (or candidates) call a winner before you cast your ballot.
If you think you’re being cheated out of your vote or pressured to vote a certain way because of how you look, get out your phone. You have many options: The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law takes voter questions and complaints in multiple languages. The ACLU fields reports of intimidation and discrimination, as does the Justice Department.
What’s the takeaway?
Voting is always important—but it’s sometimes confusing and occasionally difficult.
Know the rules. Know where to go. Know about getting time off from work to vote—and plan ahead to avoid a wait. If you need help or information at the polls, ask.
Women’s Equality Day may be the perfect moment to remember you owe that much to yourself—and maybe to the fighters who championed your right to vote.
Related Stories:
Virginia Kase’s Midterm Plan: Make It Easier for Women to Vote
I’m a Woman in a Battleground State. Here’s What Politicians Don’t Understand About Me.
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