****

As the 2024 elections approach, residents across the United States, including the District of Columbia, still have a window to register to vote. Prospective voters are encouraged to act swiftly, as deadlines for registration begin as early as early October in various states.

David Becker, an election law expert and CBS News contributor, highlighted the enhanced convenience of voter registration in a September segment on "CBS Mornings." Voters now have more accessible methods for registering or updating their registration status compared to previous years.

Individuals can quickly verify their voter registration status via the official website, vote.gov. Traditional in-person registration remains available, but new alternatives such as online registration, same-day voter registration, and automatic voter registration provide added convenience.

Same-day voter registration is a significant advancement, allowing individuals to register and vote simultaneously during early voting periods and, in many states, even on Election Day. Approximately half of the U.S. states have implemented automatic voter registration, linking voter registration with visits to specific government agencies like the department of motor vehicles. People who prefer not to be automatically registered have the option to opt out.

While some states have advance voter registration deadlines in early October, others extend deadlines closer to Election Day. Nearly half of the states, plus the District of Columbia, permit same-day registration on Election Day. Several states also have periods of same-day registration that end before Election Day but resume on Election Day itself.

These varied and flexible registration methods aim to make the voting process more accessible and encourage greater participation in the upcoming election.