One of the most important individual actions we can take to protect the planet is to vote. How corporations behave, how much pollution is allowed, what energy we have access to, whether we’re exposed to toxic chemicalsall of these issuesare determined by the laws and regulations that govern our society. Those laws are passedor notby the people we elect to office. If we don’t elect strong advocates for environmental protection, we won’t have them in office. It’s as simple as that.
If you’re not registered to vote, do so during Earth Week.Even if you’ve already missed a primary election in your state, sign up to vote in the general election in November. Here’s how to make it happen.
1) Figure out if you’re registered! You may already be registered but not realize it. Most states allow you to access your voter status online. The Voter Participation Center provides links to every Secretary of State office in the country. Get in touch with them to determine what your registration status is if you’re unaware.
2) Register online You should beable to register online in 31 states plus the District of Columbia. Start here to see what your state’s rules are and when the registration deadlines are. Some states allow you to register the day of voting, but many states have a deadline that’s a week or two or more in advance of the election. Online registration should only take you 2 minutes.
3) Register in person at the department of motor vehicles, state or local voter registration or election offices, and at armed services recruitment centers.
4) Register by mail. You can download a national mail voter registration form here, fill it out, print it out, sign it and mail it to the location lister for your state. The form is available in English as well as many other languages.
5) Know what documentation you need to register in your state. You mayneed to show a driver’s license or state ID card. Requirements differ from state to state so be familiar with your own state’s demands.
6) Be sure you’re eligible. To vote in a federal election in the U.S., no matter which state you live in, you must be a U.S. citizen. You must meet your state’s residency requirements, and you must be 18-years-old by the time of the general election. Some states allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries or register if they will be 18 by the time of the generation election. Check with your secretary of state if you have any questions.
Once you register, know when and where you should vote.
Primary elections often take place in a different location than general elections. Early voting, which transpires in many states, can take place somewhere different from the general election locale. Know when the primary and general election dates are and where polling places have been set up.
At RocktheVote.com, you can both register to vote and sign up to receive timely election reminders and the address of your polling place location. If you register for a political party, the party will probably send you a sample ballot that also tells you where to vote and on what days.
To avoid long lines on election day, take advantage of early voting or vote by mail.
The political process can be very frustrating, but voting for candidates that best represent your view gives you a direct way to change the process for the better.
If you’re not yet registered to vote, register during Earth Week. If you have friends and acquaintances that aren’t registered, help them get the job done. And if you have time to volunteer, work with non-profit organizations who are committed to making sure concerned citizens register and vote. On election day, the only thing that matters is voter turn out!
Related:
5 Ways You Can Celebrate National Voter Registration Day
Moving? Don’t Forget to Update Your Voter Registration Record
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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