We all know that there is a lot at stake this November 5 as we head into the most important election of our lives (again). The last few years have seen a huge push for anti-trans legislation from a minority who hope that running on a platform against us will get them votes. That tactic hasn’t always been a winner for them, but they’ve made it very clear what is at stake for trans people in the 2024 elections, up and down the ticket.

However, that’s somewhat of a problem for us, because some of us will struggle to vote come election day. The Williams Institute recently released a study that found that of the estimated 825,100 trans adults in the United States who could vote in the 2024 election, 210,800 of us are likely to face challenges in voting because of restrictive voter ID laws. They also estimate that 91,300 of those people are in states that require a photo ID, which will dissuade many from going to the polls and having to deal with the potential of invasive questions when showing an ID that doesn’t match one’s gender.

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It can feel overwhelming to face crowds and poll workers so you can exercise your right to vote. But there are ways to cast your vote without having to go through quite as many hurdles. If you do have to go to the polls to vote in-person, we have the information you need to make sure that you can have your say in this election.

Can you vote if you’re trans?

Yes, you can vote if you’re trans. Ignore any misinformation that might suggest otherwise. There are only three restrictions on who can vote (assuming you don’t live in a state where felons cannot vote):

  • You must be a U.S. citizen.
  • You must be a resident of the state you are voting in.
  • You must be at least 18 years old on the day of the election.

There are no legal restrictions around trans people voting. There are, however, what amount to voter suppression tactics, including the fact that some states have voter ID laws. Only 36 of the 50 states have voter ID laws, so it is worth checking here whether that will be an issue for you.

How to vote safely if you’re trans

With all that in mind, what are the best practices for voting while trans?

If you’re concerned about being unjustly turned away at the polls, worry about an old photo ID not being accepted, or just don’t want to deal with all of the stress, then the best thing to do is to see if you can vote by mail. On Vote.org you can check the deadlines in your state for requesting a mail-in ballot either in person, by mail, or online. You can also see the deadlines for returning your mail-in ballot. If you’re considering doing this, be sure to request the ballot and return it as early as possible.

If mailing in a ballot isn’t available for you, or if you’d just rather cast your vote in person, it’s worth checking if your state does early voting and what the days are for that. Vote.org also provides early voting information. On election day polls can get busy, and you can end up waiting in line for a long time with a lot of people you don’t know. Early voting times, by contrast, are usually much quieter and might make for a more pleasant experience. You might also consider going with a friend or a group for support if you are concerned about potential interactions with poll workers.

If mail in ballots and early voting aren’t viable options, then voting on the day will be necessary. Whether you’re voting early or on the day, there are some things you can do to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible.

  • Check if your state has voter ID laws and what those requirements are.
  • Check your registration details: You can check your voter registration to make sure that you’re registered and double check whether any of your registered details might be outdated.
  • Make sure your ID and voter registration match: if they don’t, you can update your voter registration here, or you can look at getting your ID updated.
  • Bring more proof than you need: the more documentation you can have on hand, the more ridiculous you can make anyone’s objections seem. Bring additional forms of ID, bills and mail that show your name and address, etc.

That should be more than enough. However, there are some additional things you can bring and remember to help make sure that you get to cast your vote.

  • Remember your rights: it is illegal for a poll worker to prevent you from voting because of your gender identity. They have no right to ask you about your gender history. If a poll worker questions your ability to vote, Advocates for Trans Equality have put together an information sheet that you can print out and provide them with.
  • If a poll worker continues to push back on your right to vote, you can suggest they speak with a local election supervisor or election protection volunteer at the polling place. Failing that, call the National Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for additional help.
  • Finally, if you can, bring a friend to vote at the same time or get a group together so that you have support in person on the day.
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