Voting in U.S. Elections

The UConn Library and the University of Connecticut does not endorse any candidate or ballot measure in this or any election. This guide is strictly an informational resource to assist you in the voting process.

If you have recently turned 18, or have never participated in an election before, it can be overwhelming to learn about how and where you vote in elections. This guide will walk you through what you need to know, step-by-step, to show up on Election Day prepared. 

At minimum, participating in an election will require:

1. Registering to vote
2. Choosing how you will vote
3. Showing up to vote

That's it! Beyond those three steps, this guide will also offer some introductory information and resources about the U.S. electoral system and how to find out more about how it works, how to research what's on your ballot, and some tools for greater involvement beyond the ballot box.

This guide can be used to help you participate in and learn more about ANY U.S. election, not just presidential elections.

In the United States, there are three types of elections you can vote in. These definitions come from the U.S. Vote Foundation, a nonprofit nonpartisan public charity dedicated to providing voter services and election data. 

General Elections

What: General Elections decide the majority of political appointments in the country. Both presidential and midterm elections are general elections. Voters are most likely to participate in these elections.
When: Even years (2024, 2026, 2028, etc). The General Election is held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Who: Voters elect candidates for federal, state, and local office. This includes U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives to Congress on the federal level, state official likes Governor, Lieutenant Governor, General Assembly, Attorney General, and State Treasurer on the state level, and municipal county and city officials and judges on the local level. 

Primary Elections

What: Primary Elections decide a political party's candidate for a General Election. Every state has different dates and rules defining when and how voters can elect a candidate for a party's State Primary. Article I, section 4 of the U.S. Constitution gives individual states the right to make and change these rules.
When: Months prior to the General Election, varies widely by state. The Federal Voting Assistance Program compiles a chart with all the Presidential and State Primary Election dates on election years.
Who: Voters elect political party candidates who will go on to be that party's candidate in the General Election. Different states have different kinds of primary elections, but the two main types include: "open primaries" where you do not have to be affiliated or formally registered with the party for whose candidate you're voting; and "closed primaries" where you can only vote for a candidate from the party with which you're affiliated.

Special Elections

What: Special Elections decide who replaces an official who is no longer able to serve. This happens when an elected official has resigned, died, or been removed from office.
When: May be held either during a general election or primary election, or on a completely different date assigned by the elections office.
Who: Every eligible voter living in the district whose elected official must be replaced can vote in that election.