2020 is a hot mess – I think we can all agree on that. With nearly everyone’s plans getting canceled for the year, there is one plan we shouldn’t let get canceled: voting. We have rounded up some of our favorite online resources about voting to help you every step of the way.
1. Get to the Polls, from the Voting Information Project
Simple, clean and effective, just type in your address (the address where you have registered to vote!) and it will tell you not only your next election date but also every polling place nearby on a convenient map. You can also get directions, so it’s great for mobile use as well.
2. USA.gov’s Absentee Voting Page
If you know everything there is to know about voting (like who your candidates are, where your polling places are and whether you are registered) but have fears of voting in the time of Corona, USA.gov will walk you through requesting a vote by mail ballot for your state. Keep in mind that some states do not count Coronavirus among their reasons for voting by mail, so be sure to check your state’s guidelines for more information!
3. TurboVote.org
This handy website does it all. If you are not registered to vote, it will help you register. If you are registered to vote, you can sign up for email and text reminders about upcoming elections. Depending on your state, it can also assist you in registering to vote by mail (some states do not allow voting by mail except for special circumstances, but this website will help you learn if you fit those criteria for your state).
4. Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia is awesome. It allows you to learn what your state is doing with different issues, follow the presidential election and more. Our favorite feature is the “sample ballot lookup,” which will show you everyone who is on your ballot and where they stand on different issues – it is great if you are a planner, but it is even better if you want to take a deeper dive into who is running for local office in your city or state.
5. 866OurVote.org
866 Our Vote is a non-partisan organization that works to defend people’s right to vote. If you experience any issues while voting (like voter intimidation or being turned away), you can report it to them. You can also click on your state on the map featured on their website to learn about your state’s upcoming elections and find your polling places.
6. Vote.org
This website has a little bit of everything. Here you can see a countdown until the presidential election, check to make sure you are registered to vote, register to vote, register to vote by mail (if your state allows it), sign up for election reminders, find your polling place and more. This website can also assist you if you have moved and need your registration moved to your new home, as well. Think of it as one-stop shopping for all your voting needs.
7. Vote411.org
Another great website for personalized voting info. Input your address (the address where you are registered to vote!) and Vote411 will show you a variety of resources like issues and people on your ballot, your registration, where your polling place is, upcoming debates and more. This website is also an excellent resource for first-time voters who may not know what they need to bring to vote or whether they have the day off.
8. WhenWeAllVote
Let’s say you have everything figured out – you know who you are voting for, where you stand on issues, where your polling place is, but your state does not allow voting by mail despite Coronavirus, and you do not have a car or do not have a reliable way of getting to your polling place. Lyft – the rideshare company – is offering free rides to polling places in a partnership with WhenWeAllVote.org.
