History of Voter registration in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 11, 2026

Voter registration is a prerequisite in many electoral systems, mandating that eligible individuals enroll on an electoral roll before being permitted to vote. This process ensures that only qualified citizens participate in elections and helps prevent voter fraud. Registration systems vary across jurisdictions, with some offering online or same-day registration to increase accessibility. The details collected typically include name, address, and proof of eligibility, like citizenship and age. Voter registration is crucial for maintaining accurate voter lists and facilitating fair and transparent elections.

1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 forbade abuses such as literacy tests and discriminatory record-keeping requirements and authorized federal oversight in jurisdictions of historic under-representation of certain groups.

1990: Voter Credential Card Issued in Mexico

From 1990 onward, citizens in Mexico received a Voter Credential card (credencial de elector con fotografía), issued by the National Electoral Institute (INE), which at the time was called Federal Electoral Institute. The card is required to vote in any election and also serves as a national identity document.

1993: National Voter Registration Act of 1993

In 1993, the National Voter Registration Act, also known as the "Motor Voter Law", in the United States required states to offer voter registration at motor vehicle departments (driver's license offices), disability centers, public schools, and public libraries. State authorities were also required to accept mail-in voter registrations to offer more access to the system.

1993: National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Law)

In the mid-1990s, particularly with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (the "Motor Voter" law), the federal government made efforts to simplify registration procedures. The Act required state governments to provide uniform opt-in registration services through drivers' license registration centers, disability centers, schools, libraries, and mail-in registration, or to allow voter registration on Election Day.

2001: Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001

In 2001, registration became mandatory pursuant to section 23 of the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (No. 341). Violators are liable on summary conviction and face a maximum fine of £1,000.

2002: Voluntary Voter Registration in Hong Kong

In 2002, approximately 1.6 million permanent residents in Hong Kong did not register to vote, highlighting the impact of the voluntary voter registration process.

2009: Voting Rights for Imprisoned People in Hong Kong

In 2009, laws prohibiting imprisoned people from voting in Hong Kong were ruled unconstitutional, leading to changes in voter registration.

2009: Political Parties and Elections Act 2009

The Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, made way for mandatory individual registration in the UK, as of January 2012.

2010: Feasibility Study for Electronic Individual Voter Registration (IVR) by EURIM

In 2010, EURIM (Information Society Alliance) undertook a feasibility study for electronic individual voter registration (IVR) in the UK, based on the experience of other nations.

2010: Imprisoned People Able to Vote in Hong Kong

In mid-2010, imprisoned people in Hong Kong were able to vote as the electoral roll was updated annually, following the 2009 ruling that laws prohibiting them from voting were unconstitutional.

2011: Release of EURIM Report on Electronic Individual Voter Registration (IVR)

In 2011, EURIM (Information Society Alliance) released the final report on its feasibility study for electronic individual voter registration (IVR).

January 2012: Discussion of Individual Voter Registration Data in UK

According to the House of Commons Hansard from 16 January 2012, the IVR initiative is yet to be implemented in the UK. There was discussion of data from Northern Ireland, where individual voter registration levels significantly decreased following the introduction of an IVR policy.

January 2012: Anticipation of Mandatory Individual Registration in the UK

As of January 2012, mandatory individual registration, pursuant to the Political Parties and Elections Act 2009, was anticipated in the UK.

2012: Pew Charitable Trusts Study on Voter Registration

A 2012 study by The Pew Charitable Trusts estimated that 24% of the voting-eligible population in the United States were not registered to vote, a percentage that represents "at least 51 million eligible U.S. citizens."

2012: Impact of Same-Day Registration on Voter Turnout

In the 2012 United States Presidential election, states with Same-day registration (SDR) reported an average voter turn-out of 71%, which was well above the average voter turn-out rate of 59% for non-SDR states.

2012: Automatic Voter Registration in Chile

Since 2012, voter registration in Chile became automatic, based on a database by the Civil Registry Office of Chileans and resident foreigners in possession of a unique identity card number, adding all eligible individuals to the electoral roll at age 17.

August 2016: Federal Rulings on Voter Registration and ID Laws

By August 2016, federal rulings in five cases overturned all or parts of voter registration or voter ID laws in Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and North Dakota that were found to place undue burden on minorities and other groups among voters.

November 2016: Alternatives for November 2016 Elections

In November 2016, states with overturned voter registration and voter ID laws were required to offer alternatives for the elections; many of these cases were expected to reach the US Supreme Court for additional hearings.

Oct 2018: Voting Fines in Peru

In Peru, citizens failing to vote in the election of October 2018 were fined, with the fine amount dependent on the poverty level of their area. Payment of the fine was required to access many public services.

2022: Overseas Filipino Voters

In 2022, there were 1.7 million registered Filipino voters living overseas who were eligible to vote in national elections.

2023: Controversy Surrounding Voter Registration in the UK

As of 2023, the voter registration system in the UK is controversial because it is possible for one person to delete persons who live with them from the electoral roll.

2023: Rolling Registration System in the UK

In 2023, the United Kingdom used rolling registration, where electors can register with a local authority at any time of the year, replacing the twice-yearly census of electors.

4/2014: Federal Electoral Institute Rebranded as National Electoral Institute

In April 2014, the Federal Electoral Institute in Mexico was rebranded as the National Electoral Institute (INE), which issues the Voter Credential card.