a lot of my friends have been noting that none of the “get out there and vote!” posts actually have any resources attached to them, so they’re great for motivation but if you don’t know how to vote they can really stress you out. so i compiled a list of resources that hopefully can help!
‘Can I Vote’ is a nonpartisan website that has resources to check if you’re registered to vote. Just click ‘voter registration’ on the front page and input your state.
If you find out you need to register, Vote.gov can tell you your options. Some states will let you do it online!
Once you know you’re registered, you need to find out where to go on election day (this is important!). Can I vote also has a tool for this.
Different states have different requirements for ID. You can check what you need to bring with you here.
Here’s the most confusing bit! Figuring out who you’re voting for. Don’t know who’s running? Ballotpedia is a godsend. The page in the link looks very confusing, but all you have to do is click your state in each of the right-hand boxes. Those will take you to a page that will explain who from each party is running for the Senate and the House. Ballotpedia will also tell you if your state has same-day voter registration. If you’ve missed the cutoff to register, you might still be able to do it on election day, so check that on your state’s voting page!
Preview your ballot online so you’ll know what it looks like on the day. Most ballots will also have yes/no votes on important issues, so it’s good to know what that’s about before you go. Ballotpedia has a ballot preview tool; just give it your state and it will give you a rundown of all the questions your ballot will throw at you.
Polling places can be crowded and the wait can be long to vote. Don’t freak out! Bring a book or some music/podcasts to listen to while you wait.
If you can’t make it on the day, you still have options! Find your state on this Ballotpedia page and click to learn more. The page it takes you to will have links and information on how to get an absentee ballot in your state. If you plan on absentee voting, hurry! The deadlines to apply and vote are usually sooner than the actual election day.
Most of all, remember: this election could swing the house and the senate, giving Democrats more control over new laws and legislation for years to come. You’re not a bad person if you can’t vote, but it’s a lot easier than you might think!
Let’s get out there and change the world!
