 Be A Superhero: Go Vote! |
Today is the day! Get ready, this is your big chance to impact our country’s future. Here are a few tips before you head to the polls:
Find Your Polling Place
Be ahead of
the game by knowing where you need to go. Contact your local
election office to find your polling station.
Problems
at the Polls
Several organizations have set up 800 numbers where you can register complaints on your voting experience. You can call 1-866-OURVOTE if you encounter a very serious problem. More information can be found at www.ourvote.com
1-866-MYVOTE1 offers direct access to your local board of election as well as an automated poll locator. The recorded voter statements captured by this voter alert line will help NBC News highlight hot spots on Election Day. More information can be found at www.commoncause.org
What if the Polls Close And You’re Still in Line?
Stay in line! You have the right to vote.
Understand ID requirements
This website, www.bringyourid.org is a great resource to help voters understand their state’s ID requirements.
Not On the List?
First, try to get another regular ballot, and if that doesn’t work, ask for a provisional ballot.
Know Your Ballot
Be sure to review the sample ballot before voting. Ballots can be poorly designed and difficult to decipher--any of our Florida members who voted in 2000 can attest to that! If you are using a paper ballot, make sure you didn't make any stray or incomplete marks. If you're using on an electronic voting machine, be careful where you touch the screen! Ask for another ballot if you incorrectly filled out your form, and don't hesitate to ask a poll worker or poll monitor for help.
Waiting at the Polls
The Washington Post and CNN report that voters should expect long waits at the polls due to a shortage of poll workers. Try going earlier in the morning to beat the crowds and click here to check out polling hours. Also, check the local weather forecast and dress accordingly. You wouldn't want to wait in the rain without an umbrella!
Whatever time you go, stick it out for the sake of exercising your democratic right—after all, it’s better than waiting in line at the DMV! Worried about being fired for waiting at the polls? Click here to find out the hours allocated by your employer for voting.
There are many ways that you can pass the time. Here are a few of our ideas:
•Help registered voters get to the polls. With votercall.org you can call registered voters from anywhere and ask them to go out and vote with you. Go to www.votercall.org
•Bring a book or magazine. Nothing beats a good read for passing the time! We suggest Willful Blindness by Trudy Rubin. Check out powellbooks.com for more ideas.
•Strike up a conversation with your neighbors on the line. Ask them why they’ve decided to go vote. Wearing your 20/20 t-shirt also might get you noticed!
•Bring a journal and record your experiences at the polls. Then go to our blog and tell us about it!
•Bring some of your favorite snacks and share them with the new friends you make at the polls.
Want More Info?
Go to http://www.2020vision.org/democracy/voterresources.html for more links and suggestions.
Together, we can make a difference!
Best,
Tom and
Rebecca
Your online team at
20/20 Vision