Make A Plan To Vote!
We are quickly approaching the most important election of our lives, on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. So, how do we get ready?
We make a plan to vote.
This article provides a handy checklist, to help you think of everything you need to do this. Please read it and share!
MAKE SURE YOU’RE REGISTERED
Republicans are kicking people off polls, for supposedly being “inactive,” having “duplicate” names, and a myriad of other reasons. Also, many people have moved or are living with homelessness because of Covid-19. (And yes, you can still vote, even if you don’t have a home. For example, you can use a homeless shelter as your address. For more information go here.)
To make sure you’re registered, go here: www.vote.org.
These articles are also great resources and heavily cited throughout this piece: “The Best Way to Vote in Every State” (Slate) and “How to Make Sure Your Vote Counts in November” (Washington Post).
What is the deadline to register?
Rules vary by state. In some places (like Alaska) you must register as early as Oct. 3 and in others (like Colorado) you can still register up to and including Election Day (Nov. 3). For more information, go here: www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines.
Do you know what to vote for?
Don’t forget to research the candidates and issues. You can find a voting guide at Vote 411, and lots of useful information at Ballotpedia. If you are voting in person, we recommend that you print out your choices (make a “cheat sheet”) and bring it with you to your polling place. This way you won’t forget anything. Don’t wait until the last minute. Do this now!
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW HOW TO VOTE
Find out what the rules are in your state. Most importantly, can you vote-by-mail or do you need to vote in person?
HOW TO VOTE-BY-MAIL
First of all, is this different from absentee voting? Not really. It’s just that Republicans have been sowing confusion about the different terminology. As the Washington Post explains, “Some states prefer one term over the other, but both “absentee voting” and “mail-in voting” refer to the method of using the mail to deliver ballots to voters.” In other words, they are both ways to “vote-by-mail.” And that’s all you really need to know. But for more information, you can read these articles: “What’s the difference between absentee and mail-in voting? (Washington Post) and “The Most Important Mail You’ll Ever Send: A Ballot” (NPR).
Things to consider:
Do you live in a state that requires a reason to Vote-By-Mail?
Rules vary by state. There are six states that require a reason to vote by mail (Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas). There are others that allow you to use Covid-19 as your reason, others that don’t require any reason, and 11 states where ballots are automatically mailed to all active, registered voters (California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.). For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules.
Is there a deadline to apply to Vote-By-Mail?
This varies by state. Some are as early as Oct. 13 (Rhode Island) and others as late as Nov. 2. But whatever the deadline, please apply ASAP to make sure you get your ballot in time. Don’t wait until the last minute. For more information, go here.
How do you apply to Vote-By-Mail?
Rules vary by state. Some places allow you to apply online and others ask you to do it by mail. Either way, apply ASAP. Don’t wait until the last minute. To apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-ballot.
When do you get your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
This varies by state. Some places send them as early as Sept. 4 (North Carolina) and others wait until Oct. 16 (Washington). For the full list of distribution dates, go here. If your ballot has not arrived within two weeks of the date it was sent, many states advise you to contact your County Election Office and request another one. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-ballot.
What is the deadline to return your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
Rules vary by state. In some places, it has to arrive by Nov. 3 and in others, it just needs to be postmarked by that date. But if you’re relying on the mail, please return it ASAP. Don’t wait until the last minute. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines.
When is the earliest you can return your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
You can return it as soon as you get it and put the envelope back in the mail. But many people are choosing to return their ballots in person, to avoid mail delays. Rules vary by state. But most places allow you to return your ballot in person to your polling place or County Election Office the same day early voting begins. (In California, for example, that is Oct. 5.) Or at the very least, they allow you to return your ballot in person on Election Day. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines.
What are the rules for sealing your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
Rules vary by state. Many require your signature on the envelope, others (like Minnesota) require your driver’s license number, and others (like Alabama, although this is being contested in court) require two witnesses to sign the envelope. Make sure to carefully follow the instructions on your ballot. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules and follow the link to your state’s website.
Does your state require you to notarize your Vote-By-Mail ballot?
A small number of states (like Missouri and North Carolina) require voters to notarize their VBM ballots. If yours is one of them, do you know where the nearest notary office is? Do you know when they’re open? Does your state allow you to notorize documents online? Do you know how much they charge? Make sure to find out now. Don’t wait until the last minute. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules.
Do you live somewhere with readily available mail boxes?
Usually, vote-by-mail means you return your ballot by mail. But in some places, they’ve been removing and/or locking public mailboxes, so make sure that yours are still available. There have also been slowdowns to USPS mail service, which could affect whether or not your ballot arrives on time. So, if you must use the mail, do it now. Don’t wait until the last minute. For more information, go here.
Do you live somewhere with readily available ballot boxes?
A ballot or dop box is a place “where voters can deposit their absentee ballots to be collected later by election officials.” (NPR) These days, many people are choosing to use ballot boxes, because they don’t want to rely on the mail. But in some states, ballot boxes are not being provided in the numbers legally mandated. So check to see if they are available in yours. Do this now. Don’t wait until the last minute. For more information, go here. To find your nearest ballot or drop box, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules and follow the link to your state’s website.
Do you live in a state where you can return your ballot in person?
If your state allows this, we strongly encourage you to choose this option, to avoid mail delays. Rules vary by state. But most places allow you to return your ballot in person to your polling place and/or County Election Office the same day early voting begins. (In California, for example, that is Oct. 5). Or at the very least, they allow you to return your ballot in person on Election Day. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines.
Do you live in a state where someone can return your ballot for you?
Rules vary by state. In some places, only the voter can turn it in, in others a close relative can do it, and in others (like California) volunteer groups and organizations are allowed to do it. For more information, go here.
Can you sign up to track your ballot?
We strongly encourage you to do this if possible. Rules vary by state. For more information, go to www.vote.org and follow the link to your state’s website.
Do you know what to vote for?
Don’t forget to research the candidates and issues. You can find voting guides at Vote 411 and lots of useful information at Ballotpedia. Don’t wait until the last minute. Do it now!
HOW TO VOTE IN PERSON
Things to consider:
Do you live in a state that requires a reason to Vote-By-Mail?
If you don’t have a valid reason to vote-by-mail in the following six states — Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee or Texas — then you must vote in person. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/absentee-voting-rules.
Is early voting an option?
Rules vary by state. Some (like Texas) recently expanded their options for early voting. For more information, go here: www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar.
Where is your polling place?
Chances are that it’s changed, either because of Covid-19 or because of Republican shenanigans, so make sure to double check where it is: www.vote.org/polling-place-locator.
How do you get to your polling place?
Look up the directions to drive, take the bus, walk, or however else you plan to get there. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make a plan now.
Can you take time off work to vote?
Look into your company policy, because it varies by state. For more information, go here.
Can you stay in line for a long time?
Hopefully, this won’t be necessary, but just in case, allow yourself plenty of time to vote. Do not schedule any non-essential doctor’s appointments, or anything else that day. Remember to arrange childcare and petcare, if necessary. Wear comfortable shoes. Bring water and snacks. Locate the nearest restrooms. And if possible, find a voting buddy, so that you can save each other’s place in line.
Does your state require voter ID?
This also varies by state. For more information, go here.
Do you have a mask to wear when you vote?
Make sure to get one beforehand. If you want to help support Field Team 6’s voter registration efforts, you can buy one of their masks here.
Do you know what to vote for?
Don’t forget to research the candidates and issues. You can find voting guides at Vote 411 and lots of useful information at Ballotpedia. We also recommend that you make a cheat sheet and bring it with you to your polling place. This way you won’t forget anything!
Can you doublecheck your ballot?
In some states, voters have reported that certain electronic voting machines sometimes record the wrong votes, which means you have to go back and change them. And sometimes voters make innocent mistakes, when their finger slips. Either way, it’s important to always doublecheck that your votes are properly recorded, before you submit your ballot.
Do you need a provisional ballot?
If you’re having problems voting at your polling place, you can ask for one of these: “A provisional ballot is used when a voter’s eligibility cannot be confirmed at the polls. Often this occurs due to out-of-precinct voting, if the voter has not updated their address on their voter registration or more often if the voter cannot provide sufficient identification. The laws governing the use of provisional ballots vary by state. Most of the time these ballots will not be counted until the voter can be verified, a process that happens after election day and usually only affects an extremely close or tied election.” (HeadCount) There are only three states that do not allow provisional voting: Idaho, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. Otherwise, it’s allowed everywhere else. But again, rules vary state by state. You can get more information here.
Do you know what to do if you’re prevented from voting?
You can report any problems and get assistance from trained volunteers at the Election Protection Hotlines. For more information, go here.
(English): 1–866-OUR-VOTE (1–866–687–8683);
Spanish/English: 1–888-VE-Y-VOTA (1–888–839–8682);
Asian Languages/English: 1–888-API-VOTE (1–888–274–8683);
Arabic/English: 1–844-YallaUS (1–844–925–5287)
HELP OTHERS VOTE
Can you volunteer to be a pollworker?
This is essential work that is dramatically understaffed this year. To volunteer go to Power The Polls or Poll Hero. For more information, go here.
Can you volunteer to register voters?
There are many amazing organizations doing this work, like SwingLeft, Field Team 6, HeadCount, League of Women Voters, and Voto Latino.
Can you volunteer to help protect voter’s rights?
There are many wonderful organizations doing this work, like Fair Fight, VoteRiders, and Spread The Vote. For more information, go here.
Can you donate money to a campaign?
There are many fantastic candidates to support this year, from your local school board all the way to the White House. But if you can only support one, please help us flip the Senate blue. To find Senate races in swing states that could use your support, go here.
Can you phonebank or textbank to help Get Out The Vote?
There are many excellent organizations doing this work, like SwingLeft, Sister District, Indivisible and Reclaim Our Vote.
Can you send postcards to help Get Out The Vote?
There are some great organizations doing this work, like Postcards to Voters, Postcards for America and Reclaim Our Vote.
Can you find someone to help vote?
Pick one person — or two, three, or more! — and help them check their voter registration, apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, get to the polls, etc.
Do you live in a state that allows you to do community ballot collection?
Rules vary by state. In some places, only the voter can turn it in, in others a close relative can do it, and in others (like California) volunteer groups and organizations are allowed to do it. For more information, go here.
Can you share this article with your friends and family?
Make sure everyone you know is informed, and ready to vote by Tuesday, November 3, 2020. We need to win this election to save our democracy.
It’s all hands on deck!
