Have you voted?

In the 2016 Presidential election voting, only about 56 percent of the voting age population voted. In close elections, that means just over 25 percent of the voters are determining the outcome. 

To find out election information, check out The League of Women Voters’ very helpful website of election information. 

Here are a few tips for voting:

Register to vote

If you aren’t already registered to vote, check your state’s information to find out the  deadline for registering and to determine the process for registering.

Review the ballot

The Presidential election is the focus of the 2020 election, but the ballot has many more elected offices and issues to vote on.

My ballot, for example, included voting on state and federal legislators, voting on whether or not to reinstate state judges, voting on amendments to the state constitution, and voting on city and council policies, including raising the minimum wage of city employees.

Some of those voting decisions can be made on the spot when you step into the voting booth. But other decisions, like state supreme court justices and district courts of appeals judges are listed with the option of whether or not to retain. You will need to do some online homework to make informed votes.

Also, sometimes the wording of constitutional amendments and other proposals is not clear. You may need to do some investigating before you reach the polls to understand the intent of each issue you are voting on.

As a registered voter, you may have received in the mail a sample ballot. If not, you can check online for the sample ballot for your voting district.

The Presidential election is of great concern, but other issues on your ballot are important to you, too. Don’t miss the opportunity to make informed decisions on every issue on your ballot.

Determine if you will vote by mail-in ballot or in person

Will you vote in person or with a mail-in ballot?

Vote with mail-in ballot – If you want to vote by mail-in ballot, check what the deadlines are in your state for requesting a ballot and for submitting your ballot. If you plan to mail your ballot, do so as soon as possible. If you are concerned that your ballot may not be received by the mail-in deadline, determine your other options, such as delivering your ballot to your supervisor of elections or delivering your ballot to a voting location.

Vote in person – Decide if you will be voting early or on Election Day. The advice is to vote early if possible, as the lines on Election Day will be very long. Also, if you had an unexpected situation on Election Day, like a sick child or torrential rain, you won’t have the option of waiting to vote on another day. Find out about early voting in your state at Vote.org.

Determine your voting location –  Be aware that the location for early voting may not be the same as the location as where you would vote on Election Day. Check online to determine your voting location.

Know what identification you need to vote. Check Vote.org website for a state-by-state listing of voter ID requirements.

If you are voting in person, be sure to take your mask and other supplies, such as snacks, water, hand sanitizer and rain gear. The C.D.C. recommends that you  take your own black ink pen or stylus to use on touch-screen voting machines.

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Be aware voting regulations in some locations do not allow campaign materials within a certain distance from the voting location. That can mean no campaign attire, such as T-shirts, pins or caps, can be worn by voters.

Support voter rights

Thanks to the League of Women Voters and other organizations for pursuing legal action to fight against voter suppression. (I’m proud to be a LWV member. You can join, too, or make a donation.)

Take part in the US democratic process and vote!