Voter registration starts today: Here's a step-by-step guide
The Commission on Elections has reopened voter registration for the 2028 national and local elections.
New voters, as well as those who need to transfer, reactivate, or update their voter information, can process their registration from Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026 until July 30, 2027, according to Comelec.
According to the election body's rules, eligible to register as voters are Filipinos at least 18 years old on or a day before the national elections in May 2028, a resident of the Philippines for at least a year and at least six months in the city or municipality of their proposed precinct, and who are not otherwise prohibited by law from voting.
Here is a step-by-step procedure for a smooth registration process.
Fill out application form, prepare requirements
You must first download a CEF-1 application form, print it, and fill it out with the correct information. Alternatively, you may also ask for the form at any of the registration venues.
Remember to leave the thumbprint and specimen signatures blank. These can only be accomplished in front of an election officer or Comelec staff.
CONTINUE READING BELOW
Along with the accomplished form, you also need to present a valid government-issued ID when you register.
The following documents will not be accepted as valid identification: barangay certificate, barangay ID, police clearance, community tax certificate, and company ID.
However, one of these will do:
- PhilSys National ID
- Postal ID
- PWD card
- Student ID or library card signed by a school official
- Senior citizen ID
- Driver's license
- Philippine passport
- SSS, GSIS, or UMID card
- IBP card
- PRC card
- Certificate of Confirmation issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
- Any other government-issued ID
If you will be updating your voter record, bring along supporting documents.
For a change of last name, you will need: certification by the solemnizing officer, marriage contract or court order with certificate of finality, and an order by the Civil Registrar Consul General.
For correction of entries, bring a court order or an order of the Civil Registrar, Philippine Statistics Authority-issued certificates with correction or annotation, and evidence warranted under the circumstances.
If you are transferring precincts, bring along proof of your new residence, including but not limited to: a valid ID with your current address, utility bills or statements of account, bank statements, and a notarized contract of lease.
Head to any registration site closest to you
Multiple locations nationwide are ready to process voter registration.
You may register at the Office of the Election Officer nearest you. According to Comelec, there is one in every district, city, or municipality nationwide. These offices are usually found at or near the city or municipal hall.
Check here for the directory of Comelec field offices.
You may also carry out your registration at any satellite registration sites or mall registration venues under the Comelec's Register Anywhere Program. See the list of venues here.
Then there are the following sites under the Special Register Anywhere Program. On specific dates in this registration period, you may proceed to any of the following locations:
- Nov. 10 to 12: Mabini Hall, Luneta (Rizal) Park, Ermita, Manila (from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., open to the public)
- Nov. 10: National University Lipa, Lipa City, Batangas (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; exclusive to NU students and employees)
- Nov. 11: National University Las Piñas, Las Piñas City (from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.; exclusive to NU Las Piñas students and employees)
- Nov. 12: National University Laguna, Calamba City, Laguna (from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., exclusive to NU Laguna students and employees)
- Nov. 19: Waltermart Makati, Makati City (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., open to the public)
- Nov. 24: Far Eastern University - Manila Campus, Sampaloc, Manila (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., exclusive to FEU students)
Follow Comelec's social media for announcements of additional sites.
At each registration venue, there will be an express/priority lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women.
Follow Comelec's social media for announcements of additional sites.
Registration process
Once you present the accomplished form and your ID to Comelec staff, you will be put in the queue for biometric collection.
The staff member will take your photo, collect your fingerprints digitally, and ask you to sign on an electronic signature pad.
You will then receive an acknowledgment receipt, a small piece of paper bearing your full name, the type of application you registered for, and your application number.
Below the application number is the date for the ERB hearing. The Election Registration Board routinely processes each voter registration during this hearing.
You may check the status of your registration in your city or municipality's Office of the Election Officer five days after the hearing date indicated on your receipt. A list of approved registrants will be posted in the office.
The national and local elections will take place in May 2028.
WATCH: Pixar Summer Fest adventure at Hong Kong Disneyland
August 10, 2026