Over the next 24 hours hundreds of millions of Americans will go to the polls to decide who holds governmental power on both the federal and state level. The following is a guide for voters to help them determine whether they can vote, where they need to vote, what they need to bring, and to inform them of their rights as they go to polls.
Can I vote?
Each state determines for itself the guidelines for voting with some restrictions of course. It is illegal for states to discriminate based on age for anyone over the age of 18. It is also illegal to discriminate based on race or religion. States can also not charge any kind of poll tax.
The most common restrictions states have passed deal with registration and identification. Some states do not allow convicted felons to vote, but this varies by state. To look up the voter requirements for your state you can consult this website. You can also check to find out your voter registration status at that same site.
What is voter registration?
Voter registration is a process adopted by many states in which voters must register with their local election board before voting. In some states registration must be done weeks before the election. Other states allow voters to register on the day of the election and at least one state does not require any registration. To see the voter registration requirement for your state, and to find out if you are registered, consult this website. If you have missed the registration deadline for your state I suggest registering today as it is an easy task to forget.
Where do I vote?
While there are many polling places open usually each voter is assigned to a particular polling place on election day where they must vote. The reason for this is that each polling place has ballots for the voters at that location. If a voter was allowed to vote at any polling place they could be voting on laws that do not apply to them or voting for people who are not their representatives in Congress. To find your polling place you can simply type in your address at this website. If that site fails you can consult this website. If all else fails you can also contact your local election officials. The contact information for your local election officials can be found here.
What do I need to bring to vote?
The identification requirements vary by state, with some requiring photo identification and some only requiring some proof of residence (i.e. a gas bill). To find out your state's requirements consult this website.
What if I cannot get there?
If you have no way of getting to your polling place and know of no one who can take you there you might try calling your local Obama or Romney campaign office, depending on who you plan on voting for of course. The staffers at each office will certainly be busy, but also very motivated to find a way to get you to the polls if you are voting for their candidate. If that fails, you might Google the name of the local congressman you plan on voting for, and try contacting their local campaign office.
When can I vote?
The polling times also vary by state. The poll opening and closing times for all 50 states can be seen here.
What if I cannot get there in time?
While the polls in each state close at a certain time, you will still be allowed to vote if you are in line to vote when the polls close. In other words, if the polls in your state close at 7:00 pm and you arrive at 6:57 pm and are waiting in line you will still be allowed to vote even if you do not get your ballot until 8 pm or later.
What am I not allowed to do?
Once again rules vary, but generally states do not allow individuals to do active campaigning while at the polling place. Some of these rules, for example, would prevent the handing out of any literature or handbills within 100 feet of the polling place. Some states also prevent the wearing of any political buttons or pins while voting. Most states allow people to wear a t-shirt which would support a candidate or political party, but again voters should consult the rules within their state which can be searched for here.
What can I do if there is a problem?
The right to vote is recognized in the United States Constitution. A denial of that right is something to be taken very seriously. If you feel like your right to vote is being denied you should respectfully make your objection to the officials at the polling place. Make sure to not create a disturbance or be uncivil as you may get forcefully removed from the polling place by law enforcement. If your appeals to the election officials at the polling station do not succeed you may try to contact your local election board or calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE. If that appeal fails you may contact the ACLU, federal Department of Justice, or your political party if you affiliate yourself with one. If you have a legitimate claim to disenfranchisement you should be able to find someone to make your case for you.
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