How Do You Vote?
By Veronica McKinney and Jasmine Truong
During these unprecedented times, it’s very easy to be caught up in the whirlwind of current events and lose sight of the constants. The 2020 election is still occurring, and it seems that now, more than ever, it is important to cast your vote and to utilize your democratic power. There have been some changes in policies across the nation, but even then, election day will come and go just like it does every 4 years. Through this article, we will prepare you with the best ways to vote efficiently and safely. So, when it all comes down to it, there really is no excuse! Get out there and vote!
First off, you want to make sure that you are registered to vote! Online and mail-in voter registration has already closed in California and many other states. But many states do offer in-person registration, with some restrictions, right up to Election Day! So make sure you check up with your local and state websites to see if it's too late. We’ll provide some links down below with all of this information.
Second, you want to decide how you’re going to vote. You can request an absentee (mail-in) ballot to skip the poll lines and cast your vote anytime starting from the day you get your ballot and ending on election day. All registered voters in California will receive mail-in ballots regardless if you opt in or not, but this is not the case in many other states! Some states will have additional requirements in order to opt out of in-person voting. But if you want to vote in person but received an absentee ballot, feel free to go to your local polling place and have it exchanged! For voting early, find drop-off locations in your area to pick up your ballot or even vote using your absentee ballot.
If you are opting to vote in person on election day, one of the most important things to do is to find your polling place! The polling place will be in the area of the address where you received your ballot, but please check your specific polling location in advance. When you go to your local polling place, make sure to bring a form of identification with you. Clear identification - such as a driver’s license, passport with picture, or birth certificate - will allow for a smoother process of getting your ballot, and it prevents you from having to cast a provisional ballot, which can be at risk for not being counted. Also, make sure to wear a mask and any other safety materials you want in order to keep yourself and other voters safe!
Once you have figured out your personal voting plan, make sure to educate yourself on all parts of your ballot. Many states will allow you to request a sample ballot in the mail which will contain all your choices for elected officials and propositions. When you vote in this election, you will be making decisions on more than just the presidency. Your ballot will contain ballot measures, or propositions that you’ll want to educate yourself on ahead of time. You’ll also be voting on your senate picks, both state and national, and a myriad of local elected officials. If you fill all of this information out on your sample ballot, it’ll allow for a more efficient voting process if you decide to go in person.
It’s also very important to keep in mind the many things that can disqualify your ballot. You’ll want to make sure that you fill it out in black or blue pen. Additionally, make sure your signature matches the one on your driver’s license! Many ballots have been thrown out because the signatures don’t match, or because it’s not signed at all. Also, when opting to mail-in your ballot, make sure you’re using enough postage and the right envelopes. Your ballot packages should contain everything you need! In the end, try to take your time when filling out your ballot to ensure you read all the instructions and aren’t leaving important spaces blank. Just like you would on any important test, write neatly and pay attention to all the small details, no matter how inconsequential they may seem.
Early voting in many states has already started! Just because election day is on November 3rd, that doesn’t mean that it is your only chance to cast your ballot. Especially when voting by mail, the best way to ensure that your ballot will be counted is to send it in early.
If you are not old enough to vote yet, you can still make a difference in our elections! Encourage your eligible friends and family members to vote. Post on social media and advocate for civic engagement in every election! Prepare yourself for the day when you can vote by educating yourself about current events, propositions, and candidates. Our generation, though young, has already proved we have the power to make change. Voting is a right that should be exercised, and it gives us the power to make change in our government and in our lives.
In the end, whether you’re an early bird voter or prefer to go in person so you can proudly display your “I Voted” sticker, it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re doing it! Young voter turnout is so important and truly has the power to literally turn the tables on an election. Voting is a habit! The sooner you learn and engage in the process, the easier it will be in the future. More than 15 million new voters have become eligible from 2016 to today and in the current state of our nation, elected officers have the power to affect our everyday lives.
We’ve shown you how simple and easy voting can be. Do your part. Vote!
First off, you want to make sure that you are registered to vote! Online and mail-in voter registration has already closed in California and many other states. But many states do offer in-person registration, with some restrictions, right up to Election Day! So make sure you check up with your local and state websites to see if it's too late. We’ll provide some links down below with all of this information.
Second, you want to decide how you’re going to vote. You can request an absentee (mail-in) ballot to skip the poll lines and cast your vote anytime starting from the day you get your ballot and ending on election day. All registered voters in California will receive mail-in ballots regardless if you opt in or not, but this is not the case in many other states! Some states will have additional requirements in order to opt out of in-person voting. But if you want to vote in person but received an absentee ballot, feel free to go to your local polling place and have it exchanged! For voting early, find drop-off locations in your area to pick up your ballot or even vote using your absentee ballot.
If you are opting to vote in person on election day, one of the most important things to do is to find your polling place! The polling place will be in the area of the address where you received your ballot, but please check your specific polling location in advance. When you go to your local polling place, make sure to bring a form of identification with you. Clear identification - such as a driver’s license, passport with picture, or birth certificate - will allow for a smoother process of getting your ballot, and it prevents you from having to cast a provisional ballot, which can be at risk for not being counted. Also, make sure to wear a mask and any other safety materials you want in order to keep yourself and other voters safe!
Once you have figured out your personal voting plan, make sure to educate yourself on all parts of your ballot. Many states will allow you to request a sample ballot in the mail which will contain all your choices for elected officials and propositions. When you vote in this election, you will be making decisions on more than just the presidency. Your ballot will contain ballot measures, or propositions that you’ll want to educate yourself on ahead of time. You’ll also be voting on your senate picks, both state and national, and a myriad of local elected officials. If you fill all of this information out on your sample ballot, it’ll allow for a more efficient voting process if you decide to go in person.
It’s also very important to keep in mind the many things that can disqualify your ballot. You’ll want to make sure that you fill it out in black or blue pen. Additionally, make sure your signature matches the one on your driver’s license! Many ballots have been thrown out because the signatures don’t match, or because it’s not signed at all. Also, when opting to mail-in your ballot, make sure you’re using enough postage and the right envelopes. Your ballot packages should contain everything you need! In the end, try to take your time when filling out your ballot to ensure you read all the instructions and aren’t leaving important spaces blank. Just like you would on any important test, write neatly and pay attention to all the small details, no matter how inconsequential they may seem.
Early voting in many states has already started! Just because election day is on November 3rd, that doesn’t mean that it is your only chance to cast your ballot. Especially when voting by mail, the best way to ensure that your ballot will be counted is to send it in early.
If you are not old enough to vote yet, you can still make a difference in our elections! Encourage your eligible friends and family members to vote. Post on social media and advocate for civic engagement in every election! Prepare yourself for the day when you can vote by educating yourself about current events, propositions, and candidates. Our generation, though young, has already proved we have the power to make change. Voting is a right that should be exercised, and it gives us the power to make change in our government and in our lives.
In the end, whether you’re an early bird voter or prefer to go in person so you can proudly display your “I Voted” sticker, it doesn’t matter, as long as you’re doing it! Young voter turnout is so important and truly has the power to literally turn the tables on an election. Voting is a habit! The sooner you learn and engage in the process, the easier it will be in the future. More than 15 million new voters have become eligible from 2016 to today and in the current state of our nation, elected officers have the power to affect our everyday lives.
We’ve shown you how simple and easy voting can be. Do your part. Vote!
Important Links!
- Voter Registration Deadlines: https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/
- Dates to Remember: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/us/elections/2020-presidential-election-calendar.html
- Sample Ballot: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
- Polling Place Locator: https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/
Podcast episode can be found here.
Jasmine Truong is a current senior at Mira Mesa High School where she acts as their orchestra program’s president and a Symphony violist. When not pestering people to vote, she loves to read and write, also spending her free time volunteering for various organizations, such as the Assisteens of Greater San Diego.
Veronica McKinney is a current senior at Mira Mesa High school. She participates in many clubs and organizations both on and off campus, such as class council, Marauders for Mental Health, Challenged Athletes Foundation, a free tutoring program, and her church’s youth leadership team. In her (rare) free time, she loves to read, cook, travel, and swim!
Sources
Jasmine Truong is a current senior at Mira Mesa High School where she acts as their orchestra program’s president and a Symphony violist. When not pestering people to vote, she loves to read and write, also spending her free time volunteering for various organizations, such as the Assisteens of Greater San Diego.
Veronica McKinney is a current senior at Mira Mesa High school. She participates in many clubs and organizations both on and off campus, such as class council, Marauders for Mental Health, Challenged Athletes Foundation, a free tutoring program, and her church’s youth leadership team. In her (rare) free time, she loves to read, cook, travel, and swim!
Sources