Election day is quickly approaching – November 3rd to be exact. Voting is one of the best ways to make a change in your community and country. In this election, it is more important than ever to exercise your rights and make your voice heard. This year, mail-in ballots are making voting especially convenient. If you are planning on voting through the mail this year, it is important to take extra precautions to ensure that your vote counts.
Register to Vote.
Before you do anything, it is important to register to vote. Without registering, you will not receive a mail-in ballot, or the ability to vote in this election whatsoever. Hurry! Deadlines to register to vote are approaching quickly in most states. Find out how to register in your state here.
Register to Receive a Ballot Through Mail.
Once you are registered to vote, you should receive your ballot in the mail. In Colorado, everyone who votes receives a ballot. However, some states are different. Click here to find specifics for your state.
Outside your home state? You can request an absentee ballot here.
Keep It In a Safe Space.
Be sure to keep your ballot in a safe place, free of potential disasters. If you spill something on your ballot, or something else happens to it, it could be disqualified for being illegible. However, if this does happen, you can bring your ballot to your local polling station and get a new one.
Follow the instructions.
Another way to ensure that your ballot is accepted is to ensure that it meets requirements. Just like in the SAT, make sure that you correctly fill in each of the bubbles with ink. It is best to review your ballot before making any marks in order to avoid any mistakes. Read the instructions carefully. Make sure that you look over every side of the ballot to make sure that you are signing and marking the right places. Ensure that you mail it in the envelope provided along with two postage stamps, and take it to a nearby mailbox or post office.
Keep Track of the Time.
Perhaps the most important part of mail-in voting is making sure that your ballot gets to the polls on time. All mail-in ballots must be received at the polls by 7 p.m. November 3rd. As soon as you receive your ballot, you should set aside a time to fill it out as soon as possible. The Postal Service recommends that you send your ballot out at least one week in advance to prevent any complications and to ensure that your ballot makes it to the polls on time.
Track Your Ballot!
Once you send in your ballot, you can track it to make sure that it reaches the polls. In Colorado, you can track yours through the Secretary of State’s website. You can find specifics about ballot tracking for other states here.
If you are unable to send out your ballot on time, you can drop it at a local poll dropbox. If you’re unable to vote through mail, you can vote through your local polling center. You can find a nearby polling center here.
Your voice matters. Make a voting plan. Be sure to map out how, when and where you plan to vote to guarantee that your voice is heard. Time is everything this election, so be sure to take action as soon as possible! Good luck!