How Do I Tell If I'm Registered To Vote

And then, we're getting very, very shut to Election Day 2020 (it'due south on Nov. 3!), and information technology is imperative that as many people every bit possible make full out their ballots and vote. Our political system is ridiculously flawed in many ways, but for correct at present, it's likewise the simply political organization that nosotros have. It's so of import to remain involved and do your office to create the type of state you want to live in — but it takes some preparation.

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Whether you've voted in dozens of elections or this volition be your very start one, at that place are a few things every voter needs to brand sure they take done before Nov. 3. Starting with: Making sure you're registered to vote.

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How do I know if I'm registered to vote?

We cannot stress this plenty: Yous need to check your voter registration status before Election Day. Like, now. Sometimes, voter records fall through the cracks and people don't realize that they tin can't legally vote until it's also late to do annihilation nigh it — maybe they've moved recently or changed their name and didn't re-register, for instance. Or perchance they were victims of illegal voter suppression. No affair who you are or who you want to vote for, yous should bank check your voter registration condition ASAP.

The Constitution mandates that the election is run by individual U.Due south. states. That ways that you'll take to bank check your voter status following your particular state's procedures. The easiest way to do this is by going to the "Can I Vote?" website for the National Association of Secretaries of Land. Scroll down and click on "Voter Registration Condition," select your country, and follow the prompts to find your status. If your information is incorrect, you lot may need to re-register to vote. Which brings u.s. to:

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How tin I register to vote?

Every bit with well-nigh election details, registering (or re-registering) to vote volition vary from land to land. For the virtually up-to-appointment data, visit vote.gov and select your state or territory, then follow the instructions provided in that location. Most states support online voter registration, and then you won't even accept to leave your business firm to ensure your vote will count in the upcoming election!

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You do desire to make sure that you have registered to vote prior to your state's registration borderline. Withal, if you lot somehow miss the deadline, that doesn't necessarily hateful you can't vote! Many states permit same-solar day voter registration, meaning that you can register and vote on Election Day and nevertheless have your vote count.

How exercise I asking a mail-in ballot?

This twelvemonth's election is atypical for so many reasons, just a big one is the fact that we're still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence, many people are choosing to vote by postal service rather than run a risk their safety (or others') past voting in person. For many, voting past mail is both piece of cake and convenient (even when at that place's not a pandemic to worry about).

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Again, you lot'll want to check with your specific state's board of elections for details on requesting a post-in or absentee ballot. Make sure you practice this prior to your state'south borderline, too! Notation that in some states (though not all), you will demand to cover postage costs for your election, so you lot may desire to be sure to have stamps on-hand (also, you go to back up the USPS! Yay!).

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Your postal service-in ballot will need to be postmarked — or dropped off at a dropbox or ballot office — by Election Twenty-four hour period (Nov. three). That being said, your best bet is to mail your ballot in as soon every bit possible. That way, you won't forget and won't have to worry near mail delays causing an issue.

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If you are going to vote in person, be sure to habiliment a mask (you lot may need to remove it to help the polling place workers confirm your identity), maintain at least vi feet of distance between your fellow voters, and — please — be patient with the people working the polls.