How to Vote in the 2020 Election
The 2020 General Election is finally upon us. In the United States, elections can feel liberating and exciting. For many Americans, however, this time comes with a lot of frustration and confusion. If you are new to the voting scene, read the following for a brief overview of how to vote in Montana, the process behind it, and the different resources available both on UM’s campus and statewide.
For more detailed information, please visit the Montana Secretary of State’s website.
Register to Vote
If you haven’t already, it’s never too late to register to vote. If you’re a University of Montana student, you’ve probably been approached at least a dozen times about your voter registration status. In Montana, you can register by mail to vote by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. To find your election office, simply look at the bottom of the registration form. You can also register to vote in person at your election office if you prefer. If you’re unsure about your voter registration status, you can check it here. Montana doesn’t offer online voter registration, you must sign up via a hard copy form.
To count, your voter registration form must be postmarked by October 26 or turned in person by November 3.
Ballot Content
Before voting, be sure to do your research on the candidates and the positions they are nominated for.
The 2020 election will cover more than just the president and vice president. You will also be voting for your state’s representatives, governor, federal and state judges, a number of policy measures, and more. It’s important to be aware of the issues and nominees that directly affect your state. Making informed decisions while voting will only aid you in the future.
How to Vote
Due to COVID-19, how you vote may vary depending on the county you in which reside. Some counties have decided to continue with in-person polling while others have opted to do mail-in, or absentee, ballot only. An absentee ballot will be automatically sent to every registered voter in an all-mail county. For the counties not doing mail-in ballot only, absentee ballots will still be sent to those who request them. To know what your county has opted for, be sure to check with your local election office.
Voting from home, also known as voting absentee, means that you get to avoid the long lines and social distance — a win-win if you ask me! To vote from home in a county that hasn’t opted for mail-in ballots only, you must fill out this Application for Absentee Ballot which will automatically mail ballots to you every election so long as you’re registered.
When voting at a polling place there are a few things you must know: To check your polling place location, visit My Voter Page for more information. Polling places will be open on Election Day from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. In order to vote, you must bring some form of valid ID; this can include your driver's license, a bank statement, or any government document that shows your name and current address. Each polling place will have a voting machine available to people with disabilities that allows them to vote independently and privately. For a more comprehensive polling guide, click here.
Know the Deadlines
To ensure that your vote counts, it’s imperative that you know when the deadlines are to register to vote and to return your ballot.
Election Day this year is November 3, 2020. As previously mentioned, when registering to vote, the form must be either postmarked by October 26 or submitted in person at your local election office by November 3.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 2. Whether you return the ballot by mail or in person at your local election office, the ballot must be received by November 3 at 8:00 PM.
Early voting is from Oct. 5-Nov. 2, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live. Check with your local election office for more details.
Debate Watch Parties
If you still haven’t chosen a candidate, or if you’d simply like to bask in the chaos, there will be virtual presidential debate watch parties hosted by UM’s Voter and Civic Engagement Committee in collaboration with MontPIRG and ASUM. The first presidential debate has already happened, but there are two more scheduled for October 15 and October 22 at 7:00 PM MST. There will also be a watch party for the vice presidential debate on October 7 at 7:00 PM MST. For Zoom links and additional information, visit their event page.
Make Your Voice and Your Vote Count
And that’s it! Now is the time to make your voice heard and to chose a candidate that best reflects your vision for this country. After all, that’s what being an American is all about!
