States that allow absentee/mail-in voting.
As we inch closer and closer to Election Day on November 3rd, it’s critical to understand all of your voting options. With all the confusion and anxiety surrounding the global pandemic, voting disinformation, and USPS sabotage, now is the best time to check your registration, research your options, make a voting plan, and get out the vote. This week’s post is all about how to understand your voting options so you can choose the path that works best for you!
The September Option: Vote By Mail/Absentee
Despite all the drama surrounding the USPS these days, you can still be reasonably confident about the success voting by mail (also known as absentee voting). We’ve discussed the safety and security of absentee voting in a previous post, but it’s important to once again point out that there are no significant instances of widespread fraud associated with absentee voting. And if you’re worried about delays in sending or receiving your ballot, you can start requesting your mail in ballot in most states right now! Most states will begin mailing ballots out as early as mid-late September. Minnesota begins sending out ballots as early as September 18 if you register now! This gives you plenty of time to receive, fill out, and immediately send back your ballot in the mail. If you still don’t feel comfortable with sending it via USPS, many states are installing ballot drop boxes or will accept ballots at precinct polling locations.
The most important thing to remember for absentee voting is to follow the instructions! Your individual state’s instructions may vary, but most states will require you to seal your ballot in an envelope, sign that envelope, and place that envelope into another one for return mailing. They are usually barcoded to ensure ballots can be tracked, traced, and not forged or used to vote more than once. In states like Minnesota, you can also check your absentee ballot status online and ensure your vote has counted. So if you choose to vote absentee, be sure to do it early! Otherwise, you can choose in-person early voting. That will probably be a better option for later in October than vote by mail.
States that have absentee ballot drop boxes.
The October Option: Early Voting
Many states actually allow early in-person voting as early as mid-September! But most places have early voting throughout much of October. Early voting can usually be done at local county elections offices or special early voting precinct locations. Polling sites are open during regular business hours and often extended into the evening. It’s a safe and effective way to avoid the potential long lines and other disruptions surrounding Election Day voting. Minnesota’s first day of early voting starts September 18th!
Why vote early? Well, it’s always a good idea to get something done as soon as possible rather than procrastinate. Even if you have every intention of voting on Election Day, there are plenty of last minute problems or inconveniences that could prevent you from getting to the polls on time. Additionally, many election officials are seriously concerned about the possibility of interference or voter suppression acts that could occur. Voter registration database hacking by hostile foreign governments, targeted blackouts, or even “poll watchers” could all conspire to cause confusion or intimidation on Election Day. You can avoid all of these problems by voting early in person. But if that’s not possible, you can always still vote on Election Day, or better yet, help others to do the same.
States that allow for early in-person voting,
The November Option: Vote on Election Day or Volunteer as a Poll Worker!
Again, voting early or voting absentee is the best way to ensure that you aren’t hindered by any Election Day shenanigans. But if you do end up voting on Election Day, be ready to stand in line for awhile if needed. Pack a bag, wear some comfortable shoes, and bring your mask. Know your rights! You can’t be turned away if you are in line by the time the polls close!
And if you’ve already voted by Election Day, you can do even more by signing up to be a a poll worker. It’s super critical as most poll workers are elderly and at greater risk of Covid complications. But don’t let that discourage you, more research is showing that contracting Covid is rare from in-person voting. Most all polling places all have strict health precautions in place now. Many states even offer to pay you to work at the polls on Election Day. During the primary season this year, polling locations had to close throughout the country due to a severe lack of workers. This was especially problematic in the Wisconsin primary where places like Milwaukee only had a few polling places left open in the entire city. Being a poll worker this November will help ensure that all polling locations remain open and everyone has the opportunity to make their voices heard.
The Bottom Line
Make a plan. Check your registration. Vote. Help others vote. We can do this!