Celebrate Vote Early Day: Virgin Hotels’ Voting Guide Pt. 2

National Vote Early Day is October 24, 2020! This country-wide initiative encourages registered voters to cast their ballots before the general election (November 3, 2020) to alleviate crowded polling locations, the risk for counting delays, COVID-19’s threat to at-risk populations, and interruptions to daily work-life schedules.

With voting deadlines looming, it’s time to rev-up voting preparation: Here’s what you need to know once you’re registered and ready to cast your vote!

Double-check deadlines and research and review ballot items in advance.

The National Vote Early Day website is brimming with vital information, including state-to-state mail-in ballot deadlines and rules and avenues to promote early voting and preparation. Meanwhile, Headcount.org has partnered with Global Citizen to provide mail-in ballot tips and day-of details.

Ballotpedia provides visitors sample ballots based on their voter registration address. A ballot’s length depends on the voter’s precinct and address, so it is best to start researching all the ballot items–including potential state amendments and local and state public officials’ elections—before arriving at the polls.

Those seeking nonpartisan ballot and referendum information on the interweb can visit Ballotready.org, a search and resource engine powered by a city and state search.

Prefer voting in-person on election day? Come prepared.

Requirements for election day ID vary from state to state. Vote Riders has created an interactive map to help educate constituents on their state’s unique voter ID and election day ID requirements.

On election day (and in some cases, for early voting), be prepared to stand in line for several hours and potentially do so outdoors. Those voting in-person are encouraged to follow all COVID-19 CDC recommendations and any additional guidelines implemented by the polling center.

Don’t take a picture of your ballot and then post it online or share it with others.

In some states, snapping a photo of your ballot is a big no-no: Don’t risk having your vote tossed out.

Want to support voting in your community? Here is how you can encourage civic engagement:

• Share voting solutions:
  • The Jack Brooks Foundation, a non-profit committed to voter education and empowerment, launched the “Help America Vote” challenge this year that seeks crowdsourced solutions for increasing voter turnout.
• Write a letter:
  • Vote Forward launched a letter-writing program to encourage low-propensity populations to vote for this election cycle. Through their online tool, anyone can designate a letter to low-propensity voters, a tactic proven to increase voter turnout. To register a company, fill out this form.
• Give someone a ride to the polls:
  • Lack of transportation is a significant hindrance to voter turnout for many communities and demographics. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, the third most common reason for not voting among non-college youth was a lack of transportation. Offer a neighbor a ride, pay for their rideshare, or join a local commuter program to help get people to and from the polls.

Written by: Liana Lozada