Ready to Elect Environmentally Responsible Leaders?

By casting your ballot, you can influence decisions that shape our planet’s future—our future. However, to ensure you can vote, following the necessary registration steps and knowing where you’ll be voting is important. Many of the links below are from the U.S. Vote Foundation. Hats off to them. They do an incredible job of assisting people in registering and getting out of the vote!

You must register to participate in any election. If you don’t register, you will be disappointed when you are turned away from the polls. While this process does not require much effort, the steps will vary depending on your location; here are some general guidelines to help you along the way.

Completing the Registration Process

•  Step 1: Know the deadlines! 

Voter registration deadlines vary, but you should aim to register as early as possible. You can even register and vote on the same day in some areas. However, to avoid any issues, it’s best to know and stay ahead of the deadline, for in some locations, voter registration closes several weeks before the election date. Find out what the deadlines for your state are here.

• Step 2: Are you eligible?

Most eligibility requirements will be the same from state to state. However, there are some important differences in what will disable you from being able to vote. Click here, select your state, and look under Eligibility Requirements. If you are eligible, remain on the same page so you can find out what documents you will need to produce when registering.

Each state will have different requirements, such as a driver’s license, current mail to your address, an official ID, or other documents. These documents verify who you are, your voting eligibility, and the place where you will vote. Next, click the Identification Requirements tab for a list of documents and make them available when registering.

• Step 3: It’s time to register and be ready to vote with an informed mind.

Different registration options will be available, depending on where you live. A very easy way to proceed is to use the U.S. Vote site, which is free. You will register and then be taken to the appropriate state for information on how to register. Please click here to begin the process.

If you live in the United States, USAGOV is also an excellent resource with instructions on registering, changing your address, and more. You can also view and complete the National Mail Voter Registration Form, which is available in 21 different languages.

Wait! Are You Still Registered?

Voter rolls are continually updated, and your name can be removed if you’ve moved, changed names, or haven’t voted in a while. Another reason that your name might not be on the rolls is because it was incorrectly or illegally removed.

Even if you registered and voted in the past, confirming that your registration is still active before the registration deadline has passed is essential. If there are any issues, which is rare, you can then correct them in time.

Important! Always check your registration status well before an election to give you time to return to the voter rolls if there is a problem. Click here to check your status.

Congratulations! If you followed the steps above, you are registered.

Check Your Options

Depending on where you live, there may be multiple ways to vote. Many regions offer early voting, allowing you to vote in person ahead of Election Day, as well as mail-in and absentee ballots. If you cannot vote in person, there are options you can use to cast your important vote. Vote.org is a great way to check if your state offers early voting. Meanwhile, the U.S. Vote Foundation has a link to locate your local election officials.

Polling locations change. If a fire occurred where you were to go, or the facility’s owner opted out, locations change for any number of reasons. Important! On election day or the day before, go to vote.org to make sure you go to the correct polling place.

Conclusion

Image by Fatir29/Depositphotos

Voting isn’t a game of “Eeny, meany, miny, moe catch a tiger by the toe.” In addition to registering and knowing your polling location, staying informed about the candidates and ballot measures that impact environmental policies is key. You don’t want to vote for someone who wants to pave the Amazon forests, melt the Antarctic, and drill baby drill, right? Never mind all the other important things you expect your representative to protect, such as your right to vote.

Voting is one of the most direct ways to drive positive change, especially regarding protecting the environment. By registering to vote and knowing where and how to cast your ballot, you can contribute to shaping a more sustainable future.

Please make sure you’re prepared to vote in every election because each vote, your vote, is one vote of the many that create significant steps toward preserving the planet for yourself and future generations.

Please click on the “Who is Running” post link below to learn more about the candidates.