Election season is in full swing, and in case you forgot the specifics, the 2024 election will be held on Tuesday, November 5. Americans will cast their votes in a historic presidential election, as well as other federal, state, and local offices.
Before Americans cast their ballots, there are some practical facts they should have on hand: They’ll want to make sure they’re registered to vote, know where their polling place is and what form of identification they need to bring with them (if any). Here’s what you should know about voting in this election.
Are you registered to vote?
You must be registered to vote before going to the voting booth. (Except for North Dakota(who do not have voter registration.) Some states, such as California, Washington, Michigan, and Maine, allow Same day registration Other states are required to vote on Election Day To register voters Anywhere from 10 days (Massachusetts) to 30 days (Alaska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio) before the election. D US Vote Foundation There is a tool that lists election deadlines with voter registration by state. Depending on where you live, you can register online, in person at a local election office, or by mail. Vote.gov has state by state resources How to register to vote.
To register to voteYou must be a US citizen, be at least 18 years old on election day, and meet your state’s eligibility requirements. In some states, people Currently incarcerated or convicted of a felony No right to vote. D US Vote Foundation There is an online tool that lists voter requirements and registration options for each state.
If you can’t remember if you are registered to vote, You can check online. For those who have moved since the last election, or changed their name or party affiliation, you will need to do this Update your voter registration. You can change this information online through your state’s online voter registration website, by mail, by phone, or in person as you wish to register. If you move to another state, you must re-register in your new state.
Do you know how you cast your vote?
How much flexibility you have about when and where you vote depends on where you live. Voters can cast their ballots in person on Election Day, In person during early votingor by mail (also referred to as absentee voting). Some states — such as California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania — Voters do not have to list reasons for voting by mail. Voters in states like Alabama and Kentucky Reasons for voting by post must be givenToo sick or out of the country to vote. Be aware of deadlines for both requesting and postmarking a mail ballot to be counted; You can find both dates by selecting your state Tools from the US Vote Foundation. Either mail your ballot via USPS, drop it off at an election office, or locate a dropbox (each county will list its ballot drop box locations online).
If you are traveling or have to work a long shift on Election Day, you may want to vote in person. Early voting window Varies from state to state (and even county to county) and can begin up to 45 days before the election Vermont) check your view Primarily state rules for in-person voting And where you can cast your vote before Election Day.
To vote in person on Election Day, you can find your polling place on your state’s Board of Elections website, which you can Find out at Vote.org. All you need is to enter your name and/or address. Most states have laws allowing employees to take time off to vote, however Specifications vary from state to state. For example, workers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Dakota and Wisconsin are not allowed to vote. Other states, including Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia, There is no law allowing time for employees to vote. Workers in states like Maryland and Oklahoma They have to show proof to their employers that they voted or attempted to vote.
A final method of voting is through a Provisional ballot. This occurs when a voter’s name is not on the voter list but the person believes they are registered. They can cast their vote on a provisional ballot that won’t be counted until the person’s registration status is confirmed after voting closes. Local election officials will verify the voter’s identity And the voter may need to confirm their address or other information. D The main reason provisional ballots are rejected When the voter is not registered in the state they are trying to vote in, or they are in the wrong jurisdiction
Do you know who is on the ballot?
Top billing this election is voting for president. Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic candidate and former President Donald Trump is the Republican candidate. You can also vote for governor, senate and house of representatives, as well as lieutenant governor, state attorney general, secretary of state, state legislator, judge, mayor, district attorney, city council and ballot measures. You can view a sample ballot Ballotpedia To find out which candidates are running for which seats in your district. Ballotpedia also explains the terminology and interpretation of ballot measures, which can be difficult to parse.
To find out where these candidates stand on important issues, you can check their campaign websites, read local news coverage, and tune in to debates.
What to Expect on Election Day
Before you show up at your polling place, double check Hours the site opens and closes. Although it varies by state (and even by county), most polling stations open between 6 and 9 a.m. local time and close between 6 and 9 p.m. Remember, if you’re still in line after voting ends, You are allowed to vote, so don’t leave.
Once inside, you will check in with a poll worker who will find your name on the list of registered voters. When the poll worker said, they said Can’t find your nameAsk if they can check a statewide list or help you make sure you’re at the right polling place. If they still can’t find your name, ask for a provisional ballot.
Some states require voters Show identification before voting — like in Indiana and Wisconsin — or require first-time voters to show ID. Enlists the National Conference of State Legislatures Voter ID laws for each state.
Then the poll worker will show you Voting machine or where you fill out a paper ballot and tell you how to cast your vote. Poll staff are available to answer any questions you may have
Disabled voters You may want to use a chair to sit on, a quiet place to wait your turn to vote, and a voting machine that supports people with visual and mobility impairments — each polling place should have at least one. Voters with disabilities and those who have trouble reading and writing English can offer assistance to a family member or friend.
If someone questions you about your citizenship, your criminal history, your ethnicity, your race, the language you speak, or your level of education, that’s voter intimidation — and it’s illegal. Other examples of voter intimidation These include violent behavior inside and outside polling stations, blocking entrances to polling stations, displaying weapons, threats of violence and spreading false information about voter fraud.
According to the ACLU“If your eligibility is challenged, you can make a sworn statement that you meet the eligibility to vote in your state and then proceed to cast a regular ballot.”
Report an instance of voter intimidationWhether you experience it yourself or you witness it, call your local election officials and the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español).
Update, October 8, 3:05 pm: This story was originally published on September 20, 2022 and has been updated to include new information regarding the 2024 election season.
