If you're interested in looking up your voting [1] record, there are a few ways of doing so online. Your voting record contains your voter registration information and voting history as maintained by your state [2], and is publicly available. Whether you want to refresh your own memory on your voting history, or to see what parts of your voting information can be viewed by others online, looking up your voting [3] record is actually a simple process.

What is the easiest way to look up my voting record?

To look up your voting record, the most straightforward option is to use the app VoteWithMe [4]. VoteWithMe pulls public voting information from government records [5] and from companies that aggregate and sell voter profiles to campaigns, political parties and other groups [6], creating a public national voting record file. This means that although some states would usually have stricter rules about public access to voting records, VoteWithMe makes the lookup process extremely simple.

To look up your voting record on VoteWithMe, download the app and fill in a few personal details like your full name, birth date, and state. It should immediately find your information, and take you to your personal homepage. At the bottom toolbar, you should see the "My Impact" tab. Click on it and scroll down until you see "Your Voting Record," where you will see what elections you have voted in so far plus your party affiliation. It is important to note that who you voted for in any election is not part of your public voting record.

How do I look up my voting record through my Secretary of State?

Another option is to go directly to the source by going to your state's Department of State website or to your local election office. Unfortunately, each state has different statutes and laws related to the voting record lookup procedure, and may deny your request or require a fee. States like Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin make voting records publicly available to anyone for free, but other states have totally different procedures, requiring fees or denying requests that aren't for government or law enforcement purposes. This full list of your specific state's laws [7] on the matter will prove helpful.

If your state provides voting records online, whether for a fee or not, you should navigate to the Voter Information Lookup or Check Voter Status page on your state's Department of State website. There, you will usually be asked for your full name and birth date. Once agreeing to the standard terms and conditions, you will be able to view what parts of your voting record have been made available to the public by your state. Voting records typically contain the voter's full name, address, date of birth, voter identification number, date of registration, and voter status (active or not) [8]. Depending on the state, the record can also include party affiliation, citizenship status, and place of birth. Your voting record can list the elections in which you participated, but it does not show who you specifically voted for.

As stated previously, some states will have an online voting record lookup, but will require a fee, and other states require you to make the trip to your local elections office, or to have to request a written copy.

No matter how you choose to look up your voting record, it is important to stay informed on your own voting information and status. That way, you can be the most empowered, informed voter you can be.