If You Haven’t Registered to Vote Yet, Oct. 5 Is Your Last Chance in These States

If registering to vote has been on your to-do list before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, consider this your friendly reminder: Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote in several key states.

Voters in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas have until Monday to register for the midterm elections. And considering how much is at stake on the ballot this year, this is probably not the election to sit out because you forgot to fill out a form.

For starters, several of these states are voting under newly drawn congressional maps. We previously told you that Florida, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas all have new congressional district boundaries in place for the 2026 election cycle, meaning some voters may find themselves in a different congressional district or voting for candidates they didn’t see on their ballots in previous elections.

Texas and Florida have drawn particular attention. Texas enacted a new congressional map after a special legislative session, while Florida lawmakers approved a new congressional map earlier this year. Both states’ maps have the potential to reshape multiple U.S. House races.

RELATED: Black Leaders Push Back as Supreme Court Clears Path for Trump’s Mail-Voting Order

Tennessee’s new map is also changing the political landscape. The redrawn districts divided the Memphis-based congressional district that has long been represented by Democrats, creating a very different House map for voters in and around the city.

But if that hasn’t convinced you to register before it’s too late, there are several headline races that you should pay attention to:

In Georgia, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff is seeking another term, while the governor’s race features Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Burt Jones. Ossoff’s Senate race is one of the contests drawing national attention as control of the chamber hangs in the balance. If Bottoms wins, she’d be the first Black woman to serve as governor in American history.

Texas has a particularly busy ballot. Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton are competing for the U.S. Senate seat, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is facing Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa. All 38 of the state’s U.S. House seats are also up for election.

Florida voters will choose a new governor, with MAGA Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly among the candidates, while Republican Sen. Ashley Moody faces Democratic socialist Angie Nixon for a full Senate term. The state’s newly drawn congressional map also puts several House races in the spotlight.

In Ohio, former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is back on the ballot, taking on Republican Sen. Jon Husted in a closely watched Senate contest. The governor’s race features Democrat Amy Acton against Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.

And in Tennessee, Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty is seeking reelection, while Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green are among those running for governor.

The point is: This isn’t just about checking a box. These elections will determine who represents your community in Congress. Governors and state lawmakers will shape policy at home. And the Senate and House races will help determine what Washington looks like for the next two years.

So, if you haven’t registered, today is the day.

If you think you’re already registered, check anyway, especially if you’ve moved or changed your name. For voters in other states, now is also the time to review and understand your respective registration laws and deadlines.