Voting is one of the best ways you can participate in the wonderful democracy we call America. But this year, the pandemic and other factors have conspired to create a bit of crazy, so the best way to assure your voice counts in the 2020 election is to start preparing to vote NOW.
Voting is a basic right, but the process can be complicated. I’ve done some research, and although procedures vary by state, here are three things you definitely need to address in the next week or so if you are planning to vote. (And I hope you are!)
1. Find voting deadlines and requirements for your locality
It can go by a variety of names, but your local board of elections (or county recorder or local registrar) manages the voting process in your area. It handles everything from voter registration forms to hosting early elections. You can find it by searching “vote in _____ (your state or county)” or through your local area website. Through this office, you can find deadlines and forms needed for registering to vote and absentee voting.
2. Register to vote
You can register one of three ways:
- Online, via many different sites, including
- https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote
- https://www.vote.org/
- your state election website (search “vote in ________ (your state)” to find it)
- Through your local Board of Elections
- contact them via phone, website, or in person for a registration form
- Through the DMV
- keep in mind that because of the pandemic, many DMV offices require an appointment and this might be the most time consuming route
3. Decide how you will vote
There are three ways to vote: in person on Election Day (November 3, 2020), by mail via absentee ballot, or in person by voting early at the local election office or designated location.
If you opt to vote in person, be sure to find out where your polling location is and what hours it will be open. Don’t forget to take your mask, as there will probably be lots of people standing in line. Be prepared to wait if you must. Many states require some form of personal identification to vote. Be sure you take appropriate ID with you to the polls.
If you opt to vote by mail via absentee ballot, find out right now what your state requires to obtain and return an absentee ballot. Some states might only let you vote by mail if you meet certain criteria, e.g. you are a college student or you have a medical condition. This year, because of the pandemic, states are being less restrictive. But because deadlines are approaching, and the mail can be slow, you do not want to put this off. Many states have an online form to request an absentee ballot. Check with your state’s election site or your local election board today.
You can also opt to vote early in person. I didn’t realize you could vote early until I did research for this post! In the state of Virginia, you can vote early at your local board of elections office, without needing a special reason, starting 45 days before Election Day and ending the Saturday before Election Day. This option exists in other states too. With all of the concern about the USPS getting ballots out and returned in time, I’m not sure why this method of voting isn’t getting more attention. So, if you are hesitant to vote in person and worried about mail in ballots, explore this option in your locality.
Helpful resources
I know it’s a lot of information, but remember, you need to cover three basic things: get information from your local board of elections, register to vote, and decide now how you will vote, because if it’s by mail, you need to get rolling on that now.
If you are computer savvy, there are plenty of websites out there to help. I liked https://www.vote.org/ because it had links to register, to check your registration status, to vote by mail, and to find your polling place. It also has links to state specific information; scroll down to the bottom of the landing page to find links to your state.
If you aren’t computer savvy, just find your local board of elections office and ask them for help. They should be able to give you all of the information and forms you need to vote.
Do you have questions about voting? Have you had trouble getting ready to vote? Do you have any tips to add? Please share!
Thanks for getting ready to vote with me!
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