Midterm elections have notoriously low turnout, in comparison to presidential election years, but they are as consequential, if not more than the “big” ones every four years. As a result, this is not the first time you will be hearing from me about this particular election, as it is becoming more and more clear just how crucial your vote will be.
November 6th is just over a month away, but here are some things that you can do now:
- Go look at your sample ballot. See what offices are up for grabs, who is running, and what races you are eligible to vote for based on where you live. A bonus- in order to see your ballot you have to look up your voter information, so you will be able to confirm that you are, in fact, registered, and you’ll be able to see your polling place. I highly suggest taking a look at your sample ballot before you head to the polls and hey, maybe even look up these people and find out a bit about them. This site is a good place to do that. Pro tip: you can print out your sample ballot, mark your choices, and bring it with you to the polls as a reference.
- Make a plan to vote early. Early voting opens this Thursday, September 27th, in several locations around the county. If you don’t want to deal with lines on the 6th, or if you’ll be out of town, or if you’ve made your decisions and you just want to get that ballot turned in, this is a wonderful thing. Every time I’ve done this I’ve been in and out in about 5-10 minutes.
- Vote by Mail. Request a ballot to be sent to your home and vote without having to go anywhere. You can take your time, fill it in as you research candidates, involve the family, then just pop it in the mail. The county clerk’s office will even send you an “I Voted” sticker, in case you’re worried about that. Ballots will be sent beginning Thursday.