Election Day Cheatsheet
Are you ready for Election Day? Here’s what you need to know to vote this November.
If you are like me the last two years have been heartbreaking and Saturday, October 6th was salt on an open wound. To better channel this negative energy I’ve gathered all the links you’ll need to ensure that you are prepared to vote this November. As Americans, we are privileged to participate in the democratic process of voting. It’s not a perfect system, but one problem at a time.
Registered to vote? Address current? Not sure?
Check out Rock The Vote to find out if you are registered
Rock the Vote is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people. There are only 11 fields to fill out to find out.
Here a link to Rock the Vote’s quick form.
Not registered? You may still have time
Get Registered online. It only takes 2 minutes! Online registration is available for 37 states plus the District of Columbia.
Check out vote.gov an official website of the United States government.
Help friends prepare to vote this November by sending a quick reminder text or email
Hey Ted! You registered to vote on Nov 6th? If not here’s a link: vote.gov. Lindsey and I are going to grab coffee and go to the polls together. Want to join?!
Make Voting Great Again!
You are participating in the revolutionary concept of democracy. Get pumped!
Where to vote
Check out Vote.org polling locator, enter your address, and get yourself to the polls. Vote.org is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization and does not support or oppose any political candidate or party.
The 411 on Mail-in Ballots
Oregon, Washington and Colorado all conduct elections by mail. A ballot is automatically mailed to every registered voter before Election Day, in Oregon that October 17th.
In Oregon, the ballot must be received on Election day before 8pm.
For Washington and Colorado ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day.
Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballots need to be either be received the day before, on Election Day, or postmarked on Election Day. Find your state requirements at vote.org.
Get Out The Vote!
Find a Voting Buddy
Grab a friend, grab some coffee and hit the voting line. Time flies when you are having fun.
Friends who vote together, stay together 🙌
Mail-in ballot state? Get your friends and your friend’s friends together for a ballot filling party!
Here’s a quick party checklist:
- Plenty of pens
- Books or magazines for ballot filling out writing surfaces
- Voting Swag! Reward your fav peeps for voting. Get some cool swag for your BFFs like these Rosie the Riveter Vote Pins by CafeChaCha.
- Consider having a dress up like a revolutionary party! Here’s a list of 10 best revolutionaries by The Guardian to peak your imagination.
- Here’s a template invitation that you can use plus images to download.
Election Day
Going to the polls and still not registered?
At least 13 states allow voters to register the same day they vote, despite also having registration deadlines!
See the comprehensive list by The Washington Post.
Necessary Documents
Each state has its own rules on what you’ll need for voter ID requirements. For example in Oregon no documents are required to vote.
See what your state requires from The National Council of State Legislature.
⚠️ Note to First Time Voters ⚠️
First-time voters who didn’t register in person and haven’t previously provided proof of ID are required by federal law to show some form of identification.
Want to do more?
Whether you are in a blue or red state consider donating to the campaign(s) in another state. There are several seats up for election this mid-term that could possibly be flipped. Amber Taniuchi and Joel Wick have created a guide to were you can best spend your hard earned money for this election season.
A list of campaigns to donate to
That’s it!
Well kinda, now you just have to figure out what to vote for… but as I said earlier, one problem at a time. You got this!
Happy Voting! 🗳️
