Voting While Trans

Voting is a key part of our participation in society.

It is critical for everyone to vote - whether by mail, by going to an early polling location or going to a voting location on Election Day.

If you decide to go in person to your polling place this year, having ID that doesn’t match your gender identity or presentation should not affect your right to cast a ballot, in any state. But with increasingly strict voter ID laws, trans people may face barriers—both because of difficulties in obtaining an ID that’s accepted or because they might run into bias or misunderstandings of the law when it comes to their gender.

Knowing your rights can help avoid or solve problems at the polls. Advocates for Trans Equality provides the following advice and resources to guide trans people through the voting process, from registration to putting their ballots in the ballot box.

So––if you choose to vote in person this year––see below for your rights!

Know Your Rights at the Polls

1. What to bring

If ID is required in your state, bring it. It is also helpful to bring your voter registration card, a utility bill showing the address where you are registered, and our Voting While Trans Guide.

3. Getting Help

If you are still not allowed to vote, look for a volunteer attorney at the polling place who may be there assisting voters who are being told they cannot vote. If no one is around, call the National Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for help.

2. If You Have Issues

If poll workers question your identity or eligibility to vote, show them the utility bill and the "Information for Poll Workers and Election Officials" section of our Voting While Trans Guide.

4. Provisional Ballots

If you are still not allowed to vote on a regular ballot, request a provisional ballot. If you are forced to use a provisional ballot, ask for follow-up instructions, as you generally must return to election officials within a few days to prove your identity in order for your ballot to be counted.

Take our resources on the go!

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