#voting guide

This is your reminder to make a Voting Plan!

Step 1: Check your Registration

Registered already? Go to Step 3!

Step 2: Register to Vote

Step 3: Learn about your state's Early Voting Options

Like early voting and have that option? Skip to Step 5!

Step 4: Explore your Day-Of Voting Options

Step 5: Research Candidates

Step 6: Share your Plans

Detailed sample down below!

Do you know when your next election is? Probably not.

And with the gutting (essentially) of the Voting Rights Act (F SCOTUS), state legislative races just became some of the most important, and it’s not a given you’ll know when you have one.

Hopefully you know that I write a weekly election guide, and up to now, I’ve been trying to find all elections, and it’s actual hell.

But now I’ve partnered with Sway and if you join my voting group (The Daily Elmlings, how cute) I will be ablet o make my guides tailored to my audience, and FINALLY stop relying on the stupid algorithms to get you important voting info.

YAYYYYY

Also, I’m consulting with them to make the product better. So I’m finally getting paid for something I’m doing!

If you sign up for my voting group, you get to help make the product better too and election reminders and more.

I currently have 33 voters across 19 states. Think we can get it to 100 across all 50?

Yes, you may feel like everything is horrible and hopeless, and you don't want to vote. I'm here to not do that, and give you tips and info on why. Ultimately, I do not care what you actually vote only that you try to go and fill out something.

Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote

Check your registration status. This site has a drop down to select your state, which will link you to the website to check and see if you're registered.

Not registered? Go here. This site will tell you how to get registered in your state and will link you directly to the online registration if your state offers it.

Make sure you have a government issued photo ID. Driver's license, state ID, passport, etc. Many states require to you to present some form of ID to vote. Find out what counts in your state (and exceptions and provisional ballot rules) here.

Know you'll have difficulty making it to the ballot box? Check the rules for voting by mail/absentee voting in your state and see if you qualify.

Look up your sample ballot ahead of time! Lots of places provide a sample ballot which allows you to see what all the issues are ahead of time. Since this will vary by local elections, the best way to this is to look up "[your county name] sample ballot", possibly with the year tacked on to the end of the search. This may not be available until closer to election day, but it is a great way to get prepared for voting.

Other Voting Tips

This is where I get into the bit where it matters more to me that you vote than who you vote for. This is a personal principle of mine: everyone has the right to vote regardless of if I agree with what you choose to do with that vote.

You do not have to fill out every box on the ballot. You can leave some blank! Don't want to vote on President this year? Fine! Only want to vote on President and don't want to research other issues? Also fine. In fact, you can turn in a completely blank ballot if you want, and that is a political action, too. (Tip: parties note a blank box on issues because it indicates to them you were dissatisfied with your options)

You can bring notes with you! Too many issues to keep track of? Write yourself a note, print out a sample ballot and fill it out in advance to copy over, finding a voting guide and print it. As long as it is ON PAPER, you can bring it with you. (I verified this is universally allowed here)

Don't know where to start on research? The sample ballot is a great place to start just looking up candidates, but I also recommend checking out your local chapter of League of Women Voters. They put out a voters guides for each election that list pros and cons to various issues on the ballot.

The most important and most neglected elections are your local ones. Real grassroots change might be possible in your city, if you pay attention. Too overwhelmed by all this? Pick a few local issues to focus on, like the school board or city council. My city passed a trans-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance in a red state because people rallied around a handful of progressive city council members that swayed the vote. Even if everything feels hopeless, you make things better for yourself and your loved ones by actively engaging in your local politics.

Remember it's voting AND not voting OR. I know a lot of people are extremely dissatisfied with their options for this year's election, especially at the national level. Don't stop doing what you're doing. Don't stop protesting and boycotting and donating and talking about the things that matter to you. Get involved in your community. Find ways to make a difference. But also, go vote. Please.

Last week (September 13th, 2022), Senator Lindsay Graham introduced a bill that would ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

While Republican members of congress are hesitant to endorse said bill, the vibe is mostly that they're worried it'll affect midterms.

This is not good! While Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has claimed he believes abortion laws should be left to the states, he'll likely be the one deciding if this abortion ban goes to vote in Congress. We have no idea if he'll refuse to bring this bill to the voting floor.

Other Republicans have stayed quiet about whether or not they'd support a federal abortion ban. Republicans that initially had a staunch anti-abortion stance are now back-tracking saying they're against all abortion except those that threaten the life of the pregnant person, cases of rape, or cases of incest.

Pretty much every Republican is repeating this line, suggesting that this is a decision to win over voters, not their actual beliefs.

What's most likely going to happen is Republicans are going to denounce Graham's bill until abortion is no longer as widely talked about as it is now.

And if they have majorities in both the House and Senate, they can pass this bill before any of us can even do anything.

So what can we do?

Right now, we need to vote, vote, vote.

Here's a list of all the voter registration deadlines by state. Many states require you to register to vote 3-4 weeks before election day. That means you'll need to register to vote by the beginning of October.

If you will be 18 by election day, you can register to vote!!!!

This is the case in pretty much every state, but check the above link to see your state's laws.

Vote.org is a great resource to register to vote, view your registration status, send in a mail ballot, find drop-box locations or your polling place, and even get a breakdown of voting laws in your country.

They also have a countdown timer to election day and will send you election day reminders by text if you opt in.

But Dems don't Do anything! Why should I vote for them?

Look, I see you and I completely understand your anger and pain. When democrats suddenly started introducing abortion protections after Roe was overturned, I was pissed. I even stopped donating to the DNC (and I still haven't donated since). I didn't want to hear about their anger and sadness at this shocking turn of events.

But doing nothing is just going to ensure Conservatives win elections again and again. The more democrats there are in office, the more progressive legislation can be introduced.

So organize your protests and take to the streets. Protesting is just as valuable a source of change as voting.

But don't just stop voting altogether.

What if I can't get to the polls?

If your state allows absentee voting, you can request a mail ballot here.

If you don't have a car and need to vote in person, RideShare2Vote offers free round trip rides to polling locations on election day. You can even volunteer to be a driver on election day if you have your own car.

If you have to work on election day, check here to see if your state has time off to vote laws. Some states require advance notice of an intention to vote and may even provide PTO for a few hours while you're voting. Again. This varies by state, so use the handy drop-down menu to see the laws in your state. Some states will fine or even revoke a company's corporate charter if they deny an employee the right to vote, so use your rights, dammit!

Also consider speaking with your manager or employer to see if you can arrange your work schedule so you have time to vote. You just need to be in line before the polls close, whether that's a minute or an hour before. You have the right to vote even if the polls close while you're in line. Anyone who tries to deny you the right to vote despite this is committing a serious crime.

The best advice I can give is to make a plan now! If you have your transportation and time off from work planned, you'll be able to vote with a little less stress.

What if I'm disabled and have trouble voting?

According to NPR, "83% of polling places posed at least one impediment for voters with disabilities". A little less than 40% of polling locations aren't equipped to let disabled people cast their votes privately (y'know. One of the core rights citizens have?).

If you're unsure whether or not your polling place is accessible, or if you've had trouble voting in the past, find your polling place and local election office, and contact your election office. They may be able to let you vote curbside, or mail in a ballot. This can vary by location so finding this out in advance can be helpful.

Remember, it's your right to vote. If you're having trouble with accessibility at a polling place, contact your election office so you can receive accommodations.

You should also know that you have the right to use any equipment to help you vote, even if it hasn't been offered to you. So make those requests if you're voting at a machine or in-person. And make sure you take your time. If you feel rushed, remind the poll workers that voting is a right everyone is reserved, regardless of how convenient it is for others.

If you need assistance while voting, you're allowed to bring one person with you. They can be anyone except a union rep or your boss. Poll workers are also required to assist you if you're struggling to vote.

Poll workers may question your ability or right to vote if you have a mental disability. This is absolutely disgusting and if this happens, stand firm. If your name is on the roster, you can vote, regardless of the poll worker's opinions on the matter.

But unfortunately, you might need to receive legal advice on your rights while voting. Check the National Disability Rights Network to find an agency near you that can assist you.

If you're already at the polls and you're experiencing trouble, call 866-OUR-VOTE for on-demand legal help from a lawyer. If you need assistance and you're deaf or hard of hearing, there's a video call option if you call 301-818-VOTE

But what if I can't wait in a long line due to my disability?

Fun fact! If you have a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to stand in long lines, you have the right to be moved to the front of the line. And don't be embarrassed if you have to ask for this accommodation. Your personal health is important and you don't have to sacrifice it just to vote.

If the polling location is just not accessible, call your local election office or speak with the poll supervisor. It doesn't matter if it takes 5 minutes or 8 hours for you to vote, you have the right to cast your ballot, even if the polls close, so don't. Leave!

Below is a list of sources I used in this post along with voting resources linked above. I figure it would be easier to put them in one place rather than only scattered through the post:

Lindsay Graham introduces abortion ban

Republican reactions to Graham's bill

Voter Registration Deadlines

When Can You Register to Vote?

Request a mail ballot

Time Off to Vote laws

What if the polls close while I'm in line?

Voting with a disability

Polling place locator

Find your local election office

Disability Rights Network

Election protection hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE

I made a guide for the Victorian state election! You should ALWAYS put a minor party before your preferred major party! You can't waste your vote in Australia!

You can read it for free here & donate a Kofi if it helps you! It's in higher res here too!

Unfortunately two new parties were added after I made this guide (the Angry Victorians Party and Sack Dan Andrews Party). Both these parties are offshoots of right wing populist parties.