The ABA Election Center: A resource for voters and volunteers
Election seasons often generate significant public attention, and for many voters, participation in the electoral process ultimately turns on a series of practical questions: Am I registered to vote? Do I need to update my registration? Where is my polling place? What are the deadlines in my state for early voting, absentee voting or mail voting?
For legal professionals and law students interested in public service, another question can arise as well: How can I support the election process in my community?
The ABA Governmental Affairs Office has created a digital hub called the ABA Election Center to help voters and legal professionals answer these questions and more in one place. Developed in 2020, the ABA Election Center brings together nonpartisan resources to help citizens prepare to vote and stay informed. It is designed to serve not only regular voters but also first-time voters, voters whose circumstances may have changed because of a move or other life event, and legal professionals seeking meaningful ways to contribute to the electoral process.
The Election Center provides tools that allow users to register to vote or check an existing registration, locate a polling place and review voter registration deadlines by state. It also offers links to additional information concerning absentee and mail voting, early voting, voting rights and voting accessibility.
Because election rules and procedures vary significantly among jurisdictions, access to reliable, state-specific guidance can be especially important. The Election Center relies primarily on governmental resources to help voters avoid confusion, meet applicable deadlines and reduce the risk of last-minute complications that could interfere with their ability to cast a ballot. It also highlights and links to election-related work being done by other ABA entities.
As a service to ABA members, the Election Center includes substantive, nonpartisan research and information prepared by the National Journal on upcoming elections. For example, the site has a 2026 Election Toolbox with a detailed overview of the current election cycle, including the number of states holding legislative and gubernatorial elections.
The site also serves as a substantive resource on the 119th Congress, with information on committee leadership and priorities, up-to-date details on freshman and retiring members, and a list of lawyers serving in this Congress.
The website is regularly updated with new information, so keep checking back.
As another avenue for civic engagement on the site, Poll Worker, Esq., provides resources to encourage lawyers, law students and other legal professionals to serve as poll workers and support the nonpartisan administration of elections in their communities. Poll workers, the unsung heroes of elections, assist voters, carry out procedures, support orderly operations at polling locations and help reinforce public confidence in the administration of elections.
The ABA has long supported efforts related to election administration, including policies addressing voter registration practices, accessibility, voter wait times and election administration guidelines. In addition, the ABA Standing Committee on Election Law, a bipartisan committee of election law practitioners and scholars, continues to study and offer programming on issues related to ensuring secure, fair and effective election administration.
Protecting the integrity of the U.S. election process involves ensuring that our citizens are educated on the importance of free and fair elections to our system of democratic governance; protecting the security of election process infrastructure and the safety of election workers; and ensuring that all eligible voters are able to access the election process without unnecessary or discriminatory barriers to participation. Therefore, the ABA supports civic education initiatives as well as measures to enhance election security and protect voting rights.
Voting remains a foundational act of participation in the nation’s constitutional system, and as the nation faces the challenges of another consequential election season, the American Bar Association will continue its efforts to uphold the principles of democracy and help ensure every eligible voter is heard through the ballot box. Resources that help individuals navigate the voting process, understand applicable procedures and engage in service to support election administration can play a constructive role in strengthening confidence in our electoral system.
By making reliable information available, the ABA Election Center offers a public service consistent with the association’s long-standing commitment to civic engagement, measures to enhance election security and support of the protection of voting rights.
Visit ambar.org/electioncenter to learn more.
This report is written by the ABA Governmental Affairs Office and discusses advocacy efforts by the ABA relating to issues being addressed by Congress and the executive branch of the U.S. government. Follow @ABAGrassroots on social media.
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