Frequently Asked Questions
1) How did you get my name and address?
Using a sophisticated matching process, we compare an official voter file from your state to a consumer data list. We send voter registration forms to individuals whom appear on the consumer list, but not the state voter file. The consumer data list we use is compiled from, and regularly updated by, thousands of public sources. The voter file is an official list maintained by the state or county that indicates which citizens are currently registered to vote in that state.
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2) Why am I getting this mailing?
We sent you the mailing because we want your voice to be heard in our democracy. Your name was on a commercial list covering all households but did not match against a list of registered voters provided by your state. Although we use a sophisticated matching process, determining whether someone is or isn’t registered is not perfect. People list their names in different ways and if you moved, your address may not match. So some people who are actually registered will receive this mailing. If you are sure you are registered to vote at your current address, then click here to remove yourself from our mailing list.
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3) I’m not sure if I’m registered to vote. How can I find out?
The most reliable way to verify if you are registered is to confirm your status with your state’s Secretary of State. Please visit the Voting in Your State section for contact information for your Secretary of State. Another resource to check voter registration status online is VotePoke, although we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
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4) I am already a registered voter. How can I get off this list?
That’s great! We’re sorry that you somehow made it on to our lists of unregistered people. If you are already registered and we have made a mistake by mailing you a registration form, please click here to remove yourself from our mailing list. In addition, please note that in some states, your voter registration can lapse if you do not vote over a certain period of time. For more information about whether you may need to re-register to vote, please visit Voting in Your State.
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5) How do I stop getting this mail?
Simply click here. We will remove your name from our lists as soon as possible. However, please note that you may get one more piece of mail from us before we have a chance to remove your name.
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6) How long does your unsubscribe take?
It takes a few weeks for us to process these requests. Please note that you may get one more piece of mail from us as we process your request to stop receiving our mail.
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7) How did you get my old address?
We used the U.S. Postal System’s National Change of Address Registry. If you’ve moved from the address where you were previously registered to vote, you may be required to re-register to vote with your new address if you wish to participate in upcoming elections. For more information about whether you may need to re-register to vote, please visit Voting in Your State. If you are not registered at your new address, please use our online registration tool. If you are registered, please fill out our unsubscribe form.
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8) Can’t I still vote at my old polling place?
Your polling place depends on your address. It may be possible for you to vote at your old polling place if you’ve moved within a town or city, but you should check with your local town or city clerk, or with your state’s Secretary of State office. If you’ve moved to a new town or state, you need to re-register to vote with your new address. For more information about whether you may need to re-register to vote, please visit Voting in Your State. Click here to use our online registration tool.
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9) But, I’m already registered with my old address…
If you’ve moved to a new town or state and you wish to vote in future elections, you must re-register to vote with your new address. Click here to use our online registration tool.
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10) That person doesn’t live at this address.
We’re sorry that our records are incorrect. You can click here to indicate that this person is not at this address and we will discontinue mailing to this address..
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11) Do you sell my name or have information about me?
The voter registration forms are not opened by staff at the Voter Participation Center. They are either mailed directly to your voting official or they are collected and delivered directly to your voting official without ever being opened.
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12) Why do you need my Social Security Number?
For identification purposes, some states require your entire Social Security Number, while other states only require the last four digits. Please refer to “Box 6” of the Special Instructions of the mailing to find out what your state requires. We do not ever handle your registration form. It is sent directly to your appropriate state agency.
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13) Can I really register to vote through the mail?
Yes! If you received our mailing, your state allows you to register to vote using the application we sent you. There are special Instructions in the mail we sent you that pertain to your state. For more information on registering to vote by mail, please visit the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's website.
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14) I returned the last voter registration form you sent, so why did you send me another registration form? Shouldn't I be registered by now?
The form you returned is likely still being processed by your state registrar. You DO NOT need to return this form again. Please dispose of it as you see fit. You should receive notification of registration from your appropriate state official soon..
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15) Is this a legitimate organization?
Yes. The Voter Participation Center is a project of Women’s Voices. Women Vote, and works to encourage Americans to register to vote. The Voter Participation Center and its partners have registered more than 300,000 Americans in 25 states.
Women's Voices. Women Vote is a 501c3, non-profit, non-partisan organization created to activate unmarried women to participate in their government and in our democracy. The 2008 elections mark WVWV’s third cycle of operation.
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