Today is a very political day for America. Passionate people for both parties are gearing up for an upset in either direction. Stores are boarding their windows in anticipation for riots. It’s a dangerous time. But all the while, we still need to vote. Voting is how we get people WE want in charge.
Not everyone has faith in the voting system right now, though. If you’re out at the voting booth, here are some important pieces of information to keep in mind. Follow these rules and pieces of advice and you should be able to get your vote counted.
- You have to be 18 to vote. There have been reports of people being turned down, claiming they had to be 21. This is a lie and an attempt to prevent young voters from being counted. If you are 18 or older, you are old enough to vote. If someone tries to stop you, escalate to a supervisor or contact the voter protection service.
- Don’t wear political clothing. Some folks may be tempted to wear hats or shirts boasting their political preference. Some people are reporting that they are being rejected by polling places for political promotion within a voting ground. This is a more tricky legal thing and should be avoided all together.
- If you are not registered to vote, a large number of states will allow you to register at the polling location. Look up if this applies to your state.
- If you make a mistake on a ballot, you are entitled to ask for a new one.
- If the ballot machines are down, you are entitled to a paper ballot.
- Be sure to fill out the ballot bubbles completely and cleanly.
- If you are still in line at a polling place and they hit closing hours, stay in line. They are required to process the remaining voters in line.
- Leave other voters alone. Confrontation can be seen as voter intimidation, regardless of context.
Concerned about your voter protections being infringed upon? You can call these numbers, which vary by state.
Be safe everyone. Your vote deserved to be recorded. That’s what America was founded on, after all.