US presidential election 2020: voter resources and helpful links
As Election Day approaches—today, we’re only 6 days away from it—so do the potential consequences this election’s results could have on the US, even long after 3 November 2020. While some of you might have already voted, there is actually far more you could do to do your part in what is one of the most important US presidential elections ever. Here are resources and helpful links you’ll need as a US voter in order to get involved in this year’s election.
1. Register to vote
Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? As a US citizen, voting is your responsibility as it represents your chance to shape the future of your country. What kind of American do you want to be, and more importantly, what kind of America do you want to live in? Those two questions will be answered in your vote, so make sure you make the effort to have a say in these elections.
Before you start looking at your voting options, check your voter registration status here to make sure your name is still on the list at the right address. If you’ve never voted before, you’ll need to register first, which you can do here in less than 30 seconds!
Keep in mind that registration deadlines for the general election vary from state to state, so if you still haven’t registered to vote, it may not be too late for you! Simply find your state in the dropdown menu on this page to learn more about your registration deadlines.
Once you’ve registered, check to see where you’re voting from and whether your state requires you to show an ID before you vote. Do not forget your ID, or you might end up going to your local polling station and have your vote denied. You can also find out whether you need one or not on your state’s page, here.
2. Postal ballots: the safest or most dangerous way to vote?
Until recently, voting by mail was claimed to be the safest way to vote. Why? Because voting by mail meant that you wouldn’t need to go to your polling station on Election Day, which would in result expose you to less coronavirus-related risk. And while this was certainly true for those who voted early using postal ballots, the situation might have already changed as election officials in many states say it is now too late for voters to return absentee ballots by mail and are instead encouraging them to deliver their ballots by hand or vote in person.
State rules differ on how late ballots can be received and whether they can still count. Absentee ballots must be received on Election Day in more than 24 states, including a handful of key swing states such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Wisconsin.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some states approved new rules that will allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted, so long as they are received within a specified time window after 3 November. But this means that in 29 states, if your ballot isn’t received on Election Day by the close of the polls, then it won’t be counted. In 28 of those states, it is now taking more than 6 days for local first-class mail to get delivered.
In case this wasn’t clear enough, in Michigan for example, more than 3 million ballots were requested. How many of them were returned? Just over 2 million ballots, which means that a million ballots are still out there. Will they get there in time to be counted? Probably not. As if this wasn’t dodgy enough, California is now investigating unauthorised ballot boxes installed by Republicans.
When it comes to elections, better be safe than sorry. If you’re reading this now and wondering whether you should try voting by mail, here’s your answer: don’t, it is too late already. Just make sure you go to the right polling station, with your ID, on Election Day. You’ll have to queue and probably wait for a long time, but trust us, it will be worth it.
It’s too late to use the mails. Given Supreme Court rulings I urge everyone to now vote in person; early vote or use drop boxes. Protect your health but don’t let the Court and the deliberately crippled Postal Service deprive you of your most precious civil right. Plan your vote.
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) October 27, 2020
If you still have your ballot with you and are wondering what to do with it if you can’t send it, make sure to bring it with you to your polling station on Election Day and deliver it by hand.
PA voters can hand-deliver their mail ballot to a drop box, their county election office, or satellite location until 8 pm Nov 3, but DON’T WAIT! Find a return location at: https://t.co/RYXVnb54iO pic.twitter.com/8VFBmD9mmA
— PA Department of State (@PAStateDept) October 27, 2020
3. What’s the difference between absentee ballots and vote by mail ballots?
Both are ways that voters can cast a ballot by voting from home and returning their ballot through the mail. While states like Washington, Oregon, Utah, Hawaii and Colorado conduct all-mail elections and automatically send registered voters a ballot, most states ask that you first fill out a request form in order to have a ballot sent to you. That’s called absentee voting. The only difference is whether or not you have to request a ballot yourself, but both follow the voting by mail processes.
4. What if I requested a vote by mail ballot but decided in the end to vote on Election Day?
It depends on the state you vote in. While many states will still allow you to vote in person if you bring your vote-by-mail ballot to your polling place in order for them to invalidate the mail ballot and count your in-person ballot instead, others might specifically apply different rules. Check with your state’s election office to learn what rules apply in your state. If you forget to bring your mail-in ballot, or if you lose it, keep in mind that you can still cast a provisional ballot in-person on Election Day.
5. Key states
The presidential election will come down to what voters do in a few specific states, which are commonly called key states. Below is a list of those states and why they’re so important, however, remember that the individual races in every state are very important too, so you need to get involved no matter where you live.
Arizona could give Democrats their best chance to flip a traditionally red state.
This year, winning Florida would mean Democrats would only need to flip one more battleground state.
Michigan is where Trump won by the smallest margin of victory in 2016. Democrats flipped eight statewide seats in 2018, which means it’s now one of their best chances to flip a state in 2020.
North Carolina was unique in 2016, electing Trump along with a Democratic Governor and Attorney General, which is a strong sign that voters can potentially be swung.
Although Trump surprised everyone with a Pennsylvania win in 2016, Democrats have flipped seats since then and momentum is on their side.
In 2016, Trump won Wisconsin by less than one point and a Democrat won the governorship by less than one point in 2018 meaning Wisconsin could be the closest battleground state of all.
No matter where you live, you can directly support the work of organisers, volunteers, and candidates in the six key battleground states that will be most important to delivering a progressive majority in 2020. Just pick a state, sign up, and you’ll get everything you need to make a big difference this November. Find out more information about exactly how you can get involved and help those states by clicking on one of them or here.
6. Become a poll worker
Over half of poll workers in 2016 were over the age of 60, which also happens to be the group in the greatest danger from COVID-19 this year. Considering the fact that the US needs at least 1 million poll workers on Election Day, this means that more poll workers are urgently needed! If you’re young, healthy and willing to help, sign up to be trained and work as a poll worker at your polling location here.
7. Volunteer
You could also help by volunteering at a specific state’s Voter Protection Department. From hotline volunteers to poll observers, polling stations are looking for staff, so why not help and protect voting rights? Find out where you can volunteer here.
8. Donate
If you’ve got a dollar to spare but you’re not sure who to donate it to in order for it to have the biggest impact possible, then you’ll want to have a look at this page. On there, you’ll find out more information about funds you could help by donating.
9. Still confused?
Don’t worry, it happens to all of us, especially when it comes to the US presidential election—remember the chaos of the two presidential debates? If you feel like you still need more information about this year’s candidates, what they stand for or how they actually become President in the first place, it’s all on here! Take your time, get informed so you can get involved.
This really is the most important election in US history. After a first term in which Trump has openly defied Congress and the courts, twisted foreign policy to serve his political interests and openly dismissed electoral norms, his return to power would, in effect, legitimise the gutting of the institutions of law.
Re-election would justify his view that as president, he can do whatever he wants. It would destroy the kind of democracy that has existed in the US in the past. Your vote matters more than ever before, and so does your implication in the process. Make sure you have an impact.
