.jpg)
Preparing to Vote
Here are the steps you should take in order to prepare for Election Day. Below is a flowchart, broken down into 6 steps that will take you through the process of preparing to vote- from registering all the way to deciding who you want to vote for.
There are tools, resources, and questions you can ask yourself, at each step to make sure that you have taken all necessary steps to be ready to vote.
1. Voter Registration
The first step to get ready to vote is to register to vote. If you are already registered to vote, you should check your voter registration information to make sure its correct and up to date.
If it's not, then you need to update your voter registration information.
Are you registered to vote?
Yes
No
2. Method of Voting
The second step is to decide how you will be voting, are you voting in person or are you voting by mail/ voting absentee?
How are you voting?
In-Person
Are you voting early or on Election Day?
Voting on Election Day
Steps:
1. Know when Election Day is.
2. Know where your polling place is.
Voting Early
Steps:
1. Know when the early voting period is.
2. Know where you are going to vote at.
By MaiL
Steps:
1. Request your ballot.
2. Know when you need to request your ballot by,
3. Complete your ballot.
4. Decide how you will return your ballot.
5. Return your ballot by required date.
3. Voter ID
Some states have stricter Voter ID laws then others and require more proof of identification before allowing you to vote. States manage their own elections and control what a voter is required to provide in order to prove they are who they say they are. If you are unable to do so, with the method(s) of identification your state deems acceptable, you will not be able to vote normally and will be required to vote provisionally, which oftentimes is more involved and requires follow up in order for your vote to be counted.
Do you know if you need id to vote in your state?
Yes
Do you know what forms of identification are accepted by your state so you can vote?
Yes
What form(s) of ID will you bring to the polls to vote?
No
No
What form(s) of ID will you bring to the polls to vote?
4. When
The next step to get ready to vote is to know when you're voting and be aware of any deadlines that you need to meet in order for you to be able to vote by mail/ vote absentee, and have your vote get counted.
How are you voting?
Early
Do you know when the
early voting period is?
Yes
No
Do you know where you go
to vote early?
Yes
No
On Election Day
Do you know when
Election Day is?
Yes
No
Do you the when your polling place
is open?
Yes
No
By MaiL
Do you know when you need to request your ballot by?
Yes
No
Do you know when it needs to be returned by?
Yes
No
5. Where
Do you know where you have to go in order to vote? Or, if you're voting by mail/ absentee, do you know how you are returning your ballot?
How are you voting?
Early
Do you know where you go to vote early?
Yes
No
On Election Day
Do you know where your polling place is?
Yes
No
By MaiL
Do you know how
you're returning
your ballot?
Yes
No
Do you know the
ways you can return your ballot?
Yes
No
6. Who
The final step is to decide who you are voting for and why you are voting for them. When you know this, you will be ready for Election Day.
Do you know who you are voting for?
Yes
Do you know why you
are voting for them?
Things to think about when choosing a candidate:
-
Do they have similar values as you do?
-
Do they care about the same issues and topics that you do?
-
Do they have similar views, opinions, and feelings on those topics and issues?
-
-
Look at their past actions.
-
See how the candidate acted before when in office.
-
Examples: how they voted, bills/ laws they supported, opposed and proposed, etc.
-
Is there any controversy surrounding the candidate for something they’ve said/ done in the past?
-
What did they do, who did it affect and how do you feel about it?
-
-
-
-
Are you stuck with two options you don’t like?
-
Which is the lesser evil?
-
Who is closer to you in values and opinions?
-
Who do you dislike the most and or who do you think would be the worst option to have between the two? Hint: Don’t vote for the worst one.
-
-
No
Steps:
-
Do you what offices that people are running for?
-
Do you know who is running for what offices?
-
Do you know what the candidates stand for/ the positions they take on the topics and issues you care about?
Learn about the candidates using non-partisan voter guides
Want to do more research on the candidates?
Things You Can Do:
-
Visit their social media accounts and campaign website.
-
Watch debates & past interviews.
-
Attend their events and or ask the candidates questions.
-
Look for their stance on issues and topics you care about.