How to Vote in the National Political Polls
Voting is the main way for citizens in the United States to represent themselves in the democratic system. Through voting, individual citizens can affect change at the highest levels of government. There are national elections every two years; the House of Representatives stands for reelection every even-numbered year, one-third of the Senate stands at the same time, and there is an election to the presidency every four years. Your vote could make the difference in any one of these elections.
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Instructions
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How to Vote in Person
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Register to vote by filling out a "National Mail Voter Registration Form." You can get the form from your local or state election offices, the library or Department of Motor Vehicles. You can also download the form from the Election Assistance Commission website or order one by calling 1-900-345-8683 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-900-345-8683 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
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Return the form to the address supplied, and wait for a response. If you don't receive a confirmation in the mail within two weeks, call your local election office to confirm that your registration was processed.
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Go to your local polling place on election day. Take identification with you, such as a current and valid photo ID, or a current utility bill, paycheck or bank statement with your name and address on it. You may not need this if it is not your first time voting in the state, but under Federal law you can be asked to present it.
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Check in with the poll worker. They'll check your name and address on the list of local voters and give you a polling card. Depending on the system of your polling place, this will either be a paper form or a special computer card.
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Go into the private voting booth. Clearly mark your vote on the paper form or on the computer. If you change your mind after marking the paper, you can destroy it and get a fresh one from the poll worker.
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Return your ballot paper to the poll worker or place it into the ballot box yourself. If you're voting on a computerized system, your vote will be logged automatically after you have made your choice.
How to Vote from Home
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Get an "Absentee Voter" registration form from your local election office. You can also find them online -- they differ from state to state, so get the correct one.
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Fill out the form stating the reasons you want to vote from home. There will be an option to be permanently registered as an absentee voter, which would mean you wouldn't have to fill out a new form for every subsequent election.
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Return it to the address supplied no later than two weeks before the election, and wait for a reply. If you haven't received confirmation of your absentee voter status or your "vote by mail' ballot a week before the election, contact your local election office.
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Fill out the "vote by mail" ballot at home.
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Return it to the address supplied, ensuring you leave enough time for it to get to the election office by polling day. It doesn't matter how early it arrives, even weeks ahead of the election, but if it is too late then your vote will not count.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure you register at least 15 days before the election at the very latest.
Always register changes of name or address by filling in a new form.
If you're not sure how to use the equipment at the polling place, just ask the poll workers for help.
You can bring a friend or family member into the booth to help you.
References
Resources
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