The final countdown is on: Election Day is November 3 for the 2026 midterms. If you still need to make your plan to vote, now is the time – here’s how! Trying to make sense of what you’ve heard in the news about voting this year? We’re here to set the record straight. Here are three myths you may have heard about voting in the midterm elections, and the truth you need to know as you make your voting plan.
Myth 1: You may have heard conflicting information about what ID you need to vote
In every state that requires voter ID, a driver license/state identification card is still accepted. To see whether you need to present ID when voting, and what other forms of voter identification are accepted in your state, check out our friends at Vote Riders. They’ll work with you to get an acceptable ID, if you need it.
Myth 2: You may have heard a lot of uproar this summer about the USPS and mail-in voting
Earlier this year, the US Postal Service unsuccessfully tried to create a new policy that would require the Department of Homeland Security to approve each person requesting a mail-in ballot. Hundreds of voter advocacy organizations, including LCV, fought back against this voter suppression policy. On September 14, the Supreme Court rejected the Trump Administration’s push and upheld a lower court’s determination that the policy can’t take effect in the upcoming elections.
Vote by mail for the upcoming midterms is available in many areas. Check Vote.org’s list to see if your state has a vote by mail option, and if so remember:
If you’ve already requested your mail-in ballot, return it as soon as possible.
If possible, try to return your ballot using an approved, local ballot drop box.
If using the postal service, try to mail in your ballot at least a week before Election Day, or drop it at a post office where you can ask for a manual postmark.
Myth 3: You may have heard it’s hard to vote before Election Day
There are plenty of reasons why it might not be convenient for you to vote on Election Day, and that’s OK. Work schedules, caring for children and other family members, or last minute emergencies can make it hard to vote at the polls on November 3.
Fortunately, most states provide the option for you to vote by mail or early in-person at select sites in your county. That means you can choose which option makes the most sense for you. Check out the Early Voting Calendar from Vote.org for a summary of options by state and a link to find your local election office to confirm options in your area.
If you have any questions about voting this year, we encourage you to reach out to the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline. You can call or text them at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). The hotline is also available in other languages:
866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) – English language hotline
888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Spanish language hotline
Whether it’s voting early in person, voting by mail, or voting at the polls on Election Day, voters can find options to fit their schedules. Once you’ve decided the best one for you, help your friends and family make their voting plans too! Our democracy works best when every voter participates. Our votes are our voice, and our freedom to vote empowers us to work toward a more sustainable future for all.
