The 2020 US Election is especially important. From the presidential election all the way down to local races. One of the best things that we as citizens can do to make a difference is to vote.
Listening to the song “Sing For Peace” by Tom Chapin the other day, I was reminded that peace is not just something that is given. Peace is something that needs to be worked for and that comes with responsibilities. One of those responsibilities is voting. Voting for peace, voting for candidates that will bring us closer and take steps toward real peace, voting against candidates who want to divide and separate us.
Lutheran Peace Fellowship wants to encourage people to exercise their responsibility and constitutional right to vote. To this end here are some resources about the voting process and candidate choice. The information is consistent but each form of presentation is different. We didn’t want to emphasis one presentation style over another so they are listed alphabetically.
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How To Vote
Better Know A Ballot: A website created by The Late Show With Stephen Colbert breaking down voting requirement state by state including Washington D.C. Each state’s page will eventually have a video from Stephen Colbert himself where he outlines how to vote in that state.
Head Count.org: Voter information by state on how and where to vote, early and mail in voting, finding a polling place, and checking registration as well as a frequently asked questions page. They also have a page on how to talk to your friends about voting.
How To Vote In The 2020 Elections: FiveThirtyEight has put together an easy to understand page organized by state that contains information on registration, voting early, in person voting, and requesting and submitting absentee ballots. They also keep up to date on any efforts to change the voting rules in a particular state.
I Will Vote: This site allows you to look up your polling place/ballot drop, check if you’re registered to vote, register, sign up to vote by mail, and learn more about voting regulations in your state.
Polling Place Locator: Vote.org’s list of links to each state’s official elections website. This is especially useful if you want to confirm the information provided by any of the other sites in this category. Or if you feel safer using an official government site.
Rock The Vote: Among its other programs and resources, Rock The Vote has a comprehensive guide to how to vote in each state.
Thrillist Voter Guide: A voter’s guide covering each state, sorted by region answering questions about how to vote and stay safe while voting.
Vote.org: Basically everything you could ever want about voting and how to vote. How to register to vote, how to request a mail ballot, a way to sign up for voting reminders, how to sign up to be a poll worker, information on voting rights… You name it and vote.org probably has it.
When We All Vote: This project co-chaired by Michelle Obama and a number of celebrities including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Megan Rapinoe, aims to increase the number of voters in America. Their voting information includes deadlines, rights, and voting by mail.
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Specific Voting Categories
Restore Your Vote: This site contains information by state for people with felony convictions on whether or not they are eligible to vote or have their right to vote restored.
Vote From Abroad: A website in English and Spanish covering how to vote as a US citizen living in another country. Featuring a way to get a ballot via email or a federal write-in absentee ballot, information by state, a help desk, and very good frequently asked questions page.
Vote Riders: This website contains information about voter ID laws in each state and how to contact Vote Riders for help with getting the ID you need to vote in your state.
Voting Accessibility: The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s page about accessibility in voting for both disabilities and languages other than English. They also have a page specifically for “resources for voters with disabilities” and “language access.”
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What’s On Your Ballot
Ballotpedia: This site contains information about how to vote as well as about the government, policy, and politics. But its best feature is the Sample Ballot Lookup. The sample ballot lists the candidates in each race as well as the measures that will appear on your ballot. Each candidate or measure listed links to a page with comprehensive information to help you make an informed choice.
Ballot Ready: Along with information on how to check registration, request a ballot, and vote, Ballot Ready contains a mock ballot with information about the measures and candidates you will be voting for. The sections about the candidates include their statements on various issues and a list of some of their endorsements. The sections on ballot measures give an overview of the measure and arguments for or against.
Vote 411: Run by The League of Women Voters, this site contains a comprehensive overview of how to vote state by state, links to register and check registration status, information on candidates and measures that will be on your ballot, and a first time voter checklist.
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Bonus
I Voted By Mail: Four printable “I voted by mail” stickers created by Last Week Tonight With John Oliver. If you vote by mail and miss getting a sticker, this site has you covered.
–Written by Alexandra Winder, September 20, 2020