What You Need to Vote: A Practical Guide for Election Day

Are you planning to vote this Sunday but concerned about what to bring? You don’t necessarily need to carry your voter card to the polls. If you are registered on the electoral lists – a copy of which is held by the polling station president – you will generally only need to present a valid form of identification, such as an identity card or passport, to cast your ballot.

Voting with a Power of Attorney

If you have been entrusted with a power of attorney to vote on behalf of another person, you will need to vote at the voter’s designated polling station, even if it differs from your own. You will need to present your own valid identification. You can verify a power of attorney and locate the polling station for the voter you represent here.

You do not need the voter’s registration card or any other documentation related to them when voting by proxy.

Special Voting Procedures in Paris, Lyon, and Marseille

If you are voting in Paris, Lyon, or Marseille, be aware of a special voting procedure implemented under the PLM reform in 2025. Voters in these cities will be asked to cast ballots into multiple separate ballot boxes:

• A ballot to elect district councilors, who will subsequently elect the district mayor.
• A ballot to elect members of the Council of Paris, who will then elect the mayor of Paris.

Voters in Lyon will also cast a third ballot for the metropolitan council, which will then elect the president of the metropolis.

Do You Need Your Voter Registration Card?

Even as a voter registration card confirms your registration, it is not required to vote. However, it may be helpful to have as a form of identification, depending on your state’s requirements. If you have lost your card, you can contact your state or local election office to request a replacement here.

Some states may allow you to present an electronic or printed copy of your voter registration as a valid form of ID, but it’s best to confirm with your local election officials. Register to vote and find out what identification is required in your state.