VOTING 101 - Everything You Need To Know Before November 3rd

Celebrities, friends, and influencers have been posting about it on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Twitter. No, it’s not the WAP challenge. Much more important than that - Election Day in the United States! Election Day is Tuesday, November 3^rd, so set a reminder. If you’re an American citizen and eligible to vote, it is so important you do so. Whether you want another 4 years of Trump, or a new president, you need to voice your opinion. How do you tell the government who you want in charge? VOTE!

It's been a while since you learned about the government and voting in middle school, so things can be a bit confusing. If this is the first election you're voting in, or the tenth, there are a few thing you need to know about voting in 2020. Not sure how to cast your vote or even register? Here’s everything you need to know about voting:

First off, you must be 18 years old (on or before election day) and a U.S. citizen to be eligible to vote. Pretty simple. You also have to register - you can't just walk into the polls and fill out a ballot (unless you live in North Dakota). Wondering how to register? Each state has different requirements and deadlines, but you can register online at vote.gov or fill out a mail-in application. You can see if you're already registered at vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/.

You're registered, now what? As an American, you have the right to voice your opinion. But no one hears them unless you speak up and vote. So, whether in person or by mail-in ballot, get your vote counted. Americans like out-of-state college students, military, and those overseas should vote via absentee. If you're concerned about voting in person due to coronavirus, you can request an absentee ballot. In normal circumstances, absentee ballots usually require an excuse but many states are allowing people to vote by mail this year. Make sure you follow all of the directions (including pen color, envelopes, where you sign, etc.) and send in the ballot before your state's deadline/Election Day.

If you want to do it the traditional way and get a sticker, you can vote in person. You can vote at an official polling place - usually a school. Due to coronavirus and social distancing, polling places may be in different locations, have a different layout and procedures. When you register to vote, you are sent something in the mail indicating where your polling place is. Not sure still? Contact your state's election office for help. If you want to avoid long lines on November 3rd, there's the option of early voting. Find out where early voting is offered in your state. Here are the specific days you can vote before Election Day:

Most people think their vote doesn't even matter because in the U.S., there is the electoral which decides the winner of the election - despite a popular vote. Electoral voters are chosen based on a state's size, so larger populated states get more votes than smaller ones; there are 538 electors total. Candidates need 270 or more electoral votes to win the election. If you're not an elector, your vote still matters! Americans can vote for members of Congress, mayors, and governors who hold power and impact your life. They need to hear your voice and listen to what you want. You have the right to vote, so use it!