With the midterm elections rapidly approaching, it's extremely important to vote, but all the possible ways of voting may not be immediately apparent. Here are your options.
First, you can vote in person. To find your polling place, go to this website. Polling places will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and you must bring a form of ID, like a driver's license, but if you don't have that, here is a list of other accessible forms if identification. Remember, you must be registered in order to vote, and that deadline has already passed. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote. If you cannot get to the polls on election day, the ride service Lyft is offering free rides to local polling places.
On October 10th, early in-person voting began during the week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This continues until November 5th. On the 29th, the time is increased to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and this is continued until the 3rd when the time is reduced to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the 4th, early in-person voting is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and on the 5th, it is from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Your next option is voting by mail or voting by absentee ballot. Click here to access the absentee ballot form in English. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Saturday, November 3rd at 12 p.m.. You can either mail this to your county board of elections or hand deliver it there. If you intend to mail your absentee ballot once you have received it and filled it out, it must be postmarked by November 5th. On election day, you may drop off your absentee ballot at your county board of elections until 7:30 p.m.
In order to vote responsibly, one must research the candidates and issues on the ballot, but that may seem daunting. There are a lot of issues and candidates, after all. However, there are some good resources to help you more easily do your research. For example, Ballotpedia is an extremely useful source that will summarize issues and candidates in a nonpartisan manner.
Voting is a vital right that all who are eligible should participate in. In order to create change in this country, we must elect politicians and vote on issues that will change the political landscape. Help this country change. Help this country be better. Vote!
