Voter Guide: United States
Greetings all!
Below are some resources found via google search in an attempt to answer some of the 5 W’s (and 1 H) of voting. It is important to note that we are not affiliated with any of the organizations below, and since this is not a comprehensive list, we strongly encourage you to venture into the world wide web to continue searching for more information. Search for topics such as voting guides, your political party’s website, examples of voter suppression, and what referendums are on the ballot in your state. This is also a working document, which means we may add more resources as they come along. Don’t forget to register to vote, create your voting plan, and safely cast your vote before the deadline in your state.
-BiN Voting Awareness Committee
Some FAQs
Vote by mail FAQ: https://votesaveamerica.com/everylastvote/
Voting Accessibility
Election Assistance Commission Fact Sheet: https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/eac_assets/1/6/EAC_FACT_SHEET_Voters_with_Disabiltiies11.pdf
For more information, contact the U.S. Election Assistance Commission By phone at 866-747-1471 or by email at clearinghouse@eac.gov.
ADA Checklist for polling places https://www.ada.gov/votingchecklist.htm
Who
Who is eligible to vote?
Who is on the ballot for general elections?
https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov//statewide-elections/2020-general/certified-list-of-candidates.pdf
Info on write-ins: https://www.usa.gov/voter-research#item-212945
Who will be on my ballot?
What
What identification do I need to vote? (by state)
What is the electoral college and how is it used:
What is an absentee ballot?
What is the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot?
https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot-deadlines/
What are the statistics of voters from past years?
2018 (Midterm election): https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2019/04/behind-2018-united-states-midterm-election-turnout.html
List of common terms
What do I do if someone is stopping me from voting?
Hotline: Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683
When
When is the general election?
NOVEMBER 3RD
When is the deadline to register to vote?
When is the deadline to send in a mail in ballot/absentee ballot?
Absentee ballots must be postmarked by November 3rd. The USPS is recommending ballots be mailed at least seven days before the election: https://about.usps.com/what/government-services/election-mail/ (see “When should I mail my ballot?”)
Where
Where can I vote?
Please note, early voting may have more location options than election day voting.
Where is my state or local election office?
Why
Why should I vote?
How
How can I get election reminders?
How do I register to vote?
Confirm you are registered: https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration
How do I vote in my state? (by state: how to request a ballot, find out what's on your ballot, how to return your ballot, where and when you can vote early in-person, and anything else you need to be a voter this year.)
How does COVID affect voting and how do I protect myself?
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/election-polling-locations.html
https://www.rockthevote.org/how-to-vote/nationwide-voting-info/covid-19-voting-information/
How do I vote by mail-in ballots?
How do I make sure my mail-in ballot is not rejected?
‘Here are three things you need to do to make sure your ballot is counted. 1. Request and return your ballot as early as possible. Some states require that ballots be delivered by Election Day, not just postmarked, so returning your ballot early will prevent it from arriving after November 3rd. 2. Check to see if your state has any voter ID requirements to vote by mail. You can see the rules at votesaveamerica.com/states 3. Make sure the signature on your ballot matches the one on your voter registration form. States often check to see that they match, so carefully signing your mail-in ballot will keep it from being rejected.’ https://votesaveamerica.com/everylastvote/
How else can I help?
Become a poll worker
Fill out 2020 census: https://my2020census.gov/