What’s Your Voting Plan? 5 Steps to Prepare for the Election
We’re now 8 days out from election day. Voting in this election is one of the most important things we can do to protect our rights and our democracy right now. With COVID-19 being a huge concern, it seems like we have more options than ever to vote, and deciding which path to take can seem a bit overwhelming.
By now, many states have begun early voting. Vote by mail ballots were requested and some people have already returned theirs. Lines are wrapped around the block for early in-person voting. This year, there are more options than ever to cast your vote early, in order to exercise your right to vote during this pandemic.
So what’s your voting plan? If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of your options and prep work, we made simple, actionable steps to help you cast your vote.
Step 1: Check Your Voter Registration
Even if you think you’re registered, simple things like changing your name and residence can actually impact your registration. Visit rockthevote.org or iwillvote.com to see your registration status and see if you have time to change your status before your state’s deadline.
If you haven’t registered, these states allow same-day voter registration:
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Utah
Vermont
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Step 2: Look Up Your State and County’s Voting Options
Every state has different options for voting and key dates, such as:
In-person voting on Election Day
In-person early voting and designated polling places
Absentee voting
The U.S. Vote Foundation has a great chart listing out each state’s options, but we recommend also searching for your state’s Board of Elections to confirm the requirements. Look at which option works best for you and have a backup plan. Pay attention to key dates such as the last day to mail in your ballot, available days and times at polling locations for early voting or ballot drop-offs, and if you’re voting in person on Election Day, learn what polling place you are assigned.
Step 3: Know Your Voting Rights
It’s important to know all of your rights so you can be prepared for any issues that may come up.
If you witness voter suppression, report it immediately to the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). For support in Spanish, call 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682).
Step 4: Research the Candidates and Measures
Okay, now the fun part! It’s time to research the candidates, their issues, and any special measures that may be on your ballot. Vote411 has an extensive list of voting guides for your ballot, including candidate debate videos. You simply enter your address to get an in-depth breakdown of the candidates and measures specific to your location. Vote411 does a great job explaining the responsibilities of the elected official, candidates running for that seat, and their stances on the issues. This should greatly help with your research.
Step 5: Vote!
Now that you’ve got all the information and tools ready, you’re prepared to vote! Thank you for taking the time to arm yourself with everything you need to know to vote. Share your method of voting in the comments!