Guide to the Voting Action Planner

Voting is the way we elect government officials, pass laws and decide on issues…

This Guide

• Shows how to use the Voting Action Planner

• Teach others to use the Planner with voters

• Serves as a reminder of how to use the Planner

First Steps of Active Engagement Planning

What I Worry About

WRITE DOWN WHAT WORRIES YOU ABOUT VOTING

Who Can Help You

• Where to get help to vote• List people or

groups that can help so you can vote

Who You Can Help

• Help a friend or family member vote

• Use the Planner to help another person vote

Path to Voting

Requirements

• Each state has rules about who can vote

• There are also national rules

• Usually, you vote where you live

You Can Vote if you are…

• A United States citizen by birth or naturalization

You Can Vote in Only One State

• You vote in the State you live in

• State rules say who can be a voter

• State rules can also say what you need to bring

You Can Vote if you are…

• 18 years or older by Election Day

You Can Vote if you are…

• Registered to vote before or on Election Day

You Can Vote even if…

You have a guardian, unless a court rules that you cannot vote

Most Common Ways to Register

Register by Mail

• Can register to vote by mail in all states

• The State Insert page explains how and when

• Get a paper registration form, fill it out, and sign it

• Mail the form with a copy of your ID or proof of residency before the deadline

Online

• Some states allow voters to register online

• Voters may have to enter a State Driver’s License number, State or military ID card number or SSN

• Register before the deadline listed on the State Insert

Local Elections Office

• Register in person at the local Elections Office

• Find out first what ID or other documents you need to copy and turn in

• Have a voting assistant go with you if you can

Polling Place

• Some states allow voters to register on Election Day at their polling place

• Find out what kind of documents you need to bring with you

Registering

Identification Needed to Register

• Some states do NOT require an ID to register or to vote

• Other states have their own rules about type of ID or proof you have to show

• See the State Insert for State ID rules

Choosing a Party

• Only if your state has a “closed” primary election

• A primary election chooses one candidate from each party to run in the general election

• The State Insert says if the voter’s state has closed or open primary elections

Registration Deadline

• The State Insert gives the deadline for registering to vote

• Some states will allow voters to register on Election Day at local polling places or at the elections office

Ways To Vote

Absentee Voting by Mail

• Request an “absentee” ballot, fill in your voting choices, and mail it in before the due date

• The State Insert has information about voting by mail

Early Voting

• Vote before Election Day in person at an election office, or by mail

• The State Insert has information about Early Voting

Polling Places

• Your Polling Place is a building near your home where people in your area vote in person

• Polling Places are usually schools, libraries, churches, or recreation centers

Provisional Ballots

• Used if poll workers are unsure that a voter is eligible

• Used at polling places on Election Day

• Voters without the right ID can still vote using a provisional ballot

• Voters can bring the right ID later to have their vote count

Curbside Voting

• Voting from a car outside a polling place

• A poll worker brings a paper ballot or voting machine to the car

• There is usually a button outside to push for service

When to Vote

• The State Insert has information about dates and times for voting in person or by mail

How to Vote

Punchcard

• Punch holes in card to vote• Only a few places use these

as most are now Paper ballots

• Insert the card in a ballot box, or a machine that counts votes

Paper Ballot

• Mark paper ballots with a pencil, pen or marker depending on the type your state uses

• Insert into one of the ballot boxes

Electronic

• Computer screen shows a ballot

• Vote by touching names or items on the screen

Optical Scanner

• Vote on a paper ballot• Slide the paper into a

scanner

Help to Vote at a Polling Place

Visual Ballot Machines

• Instructions and the ballot are displayed on a screen

• Can enlarge the ballot and instructions to see them better

• Contrast of colors and print can be changed

• Usually touch sensitive

Audio Ballot Machines

• People who are blind can hear voting instructions using headphones

• People vote by touching keypad

• Often the same machine as the Visual ballot

Accessible Voting Booths

• Accessible voting booths are closed on three sides

• They must be big enough for wheelchairs to fit

• Provides a private space to vote like everyone else

Poll Worker

• Provide a ballot• Explain the voting process

and voting machines• Verify that people who

want to vote are registered• Help in the voting booth if

you need assistance

Supported Voting

• A trusted person who can help in the voting booth

• Can be a friend, caregiver, family member, or poll worker

• Can help the voter mark the ballot, but should NEVER choose for the voter

Steps of Voting at a Polling Place

Check In at the Polling Place

• Voters go to a table where a poll worker looks up name and address

• Sign in and show ID or other proof of residency

• Poll worker will show voters where to go next to vote

Cast Ballot

• The voter is shown to a voting booth and given a ballot

• In the booth or on the ballot is the list candidates or issues up for vote

• Choose who you want to vote for

• Also vote “for” or “against” proposals on the ballot

Recording the Votes

• Electronic votes are recorded and counted by the voting machines

• Votes on paper ballots are counted by people

Solving Problems at a Polling Place

Precinct Supervisor

• A precinct supervisor is the person in charge of all activities at a polling place

• He/she can assist with problems

• If you are not allowed to vote, ask to see and talk to the supervisor

Elections Office

• The voter can insist that the Precinct Supervisor call the Elections Office if there is a problem at the polling place

• The Elections Office is in charge of elections

• Officials at the Elections Office will make the final decision

Protection and Advocacy Organizations (P&As)

• P&As are available on Election Day to assist voters with problems

• The phone number for the P&A in a state is on the State Insert

Voting Rights Groups

• Voting rights groups can help voters having trouble at the polls

• The Election Protection hotline number is 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-866-687-8683

Take Notes Here to Plan to Vote