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| Early voters at San Francisco City Hall filled out long ballots as they cast their votes one week before the election. Credit Jim Wilson/The New York Times |
How, When and Where to Vote?!
The next 24 hours may remind many of us of a simple truth: Voting is a basic right,
but it can be a complicated one to exercise.
Rules vary by state and may change over time, and voters may not know them.
“Here’s what confuses people: everything,” said Daniel Diorio, an election policy
specialist with the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, which
represents and serves state legislators and their staffs.
Polling places open at different times in different states. Here’s an easy way to
check the hours in your state. (Note: Within some states, including Maine, Montana
and New York, the hours vary county to county.)
About one in five voters do not know that they live in a state that requires photo
identification to vote, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll. And voters in
14 states will face restrictions on Tuesday that were not in place during the last
presidential election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
but it can be a complicated one to exercise.
Rules vary by state and may change over time, and voters may not know them.
“Here’s what confuses people: everything,” said Daniel Diorio, an election policy
specialist with the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, which
represents and serves state legislators and their staffs.
Polling places open at different times in different states. Here’s an easy way to
check the hours in your state. (Note: Within some states, including Maine, Montana
and New York, the hours vary county to county.)
About one in five voters do not know that they live in a state that requires photo
identification to vote, according to a recent Pew Research Center poll. And voters in
14 states will face restrictions on Tuesday that were not in place during the last
presidential election, according to the Brennan Center for Justice.
Generally, voting is a simple process. Here’s a brief guide on what to expect and how
to prepare, based on interviews with election experts.
When and where to vote: In the vast majority of states, polling places open
at 6 or 7 a.m. and close at 7 or 8 p.m.
Online tools can help voters find polling locations and hours. They include
CanIVote.org, a service maintained by the nonpartisan National Association of
Secretaries of State; the League of Women Voters Education Fund’s Vote411.org; and
Get to the Polls, a service provided through a partnership between the Pew
Charitable Trusts and major internet companies.
(Most secretaries of state and some city and county election officials also
provide the information on their websites.)
Lines are generally longest before and after work, and during lunch hours, said
Kay Stimson, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Secretaries of State.
Voters hoping for a quick trip should head to the polls in the mid- to late morning or
midafternoon, she said.
Don’t count yourself out: Are you not registered? Have you been convicted
of a felony? Don’t lose hope; you may still be able to vote.
Voter registration deadlines vary, but at least a dozen states and the District of
Columbia allow eligible residents to register on Election Day, according to USA.gov.
(North Dakotans live in the only state without voter registration.)
to prepare, based on interviews with election experts.
Before you head out
When and where to vote: In the vast majority of states, polling places open
at 6 or 7 a.m. and close at 7 or 8 p.m.
Online tools can help voters find polling locations and hours. They include
CanIVote.org, a service maintained by the nonpartisan National Association of
Secretaries of State; the League of Women Voters Education Fund’s Vote411.org; and
Get to the Polls, a service provided through a partnership between the Pew
Charitable Trusts and major internet companies.
(Most secretaries of state and some city and county election officials also
provide the information on their websites.)
Lines are generally longest before and after work, and during lunch hours, said
Kay Stimson, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Secretaries of State.
Voters hoping for a quick trip should head to the polls in the mid- to late morning or
midafternoon, she said.
Don’t count yourself out: Are you not registered? Have you been convicted
of a felony? Don’t lose hope; you may still be able to vote.
Voter registration deadlines vary, but at least a dozen states and the District of
Columbia allow eligible residents to register on Election Day, according to USA.gov.
(North Dakotans live in the only state without voter registration.)
Many states ban those with felony convictions from voting, but the prohibition
is not necessarily permanent. Some states restore the right in certain circumstances
or after a specified period.
Citizens unsure of their eligibility can check with local officials directly or, in
some cases, through the officials’ websites. To find out more, visit CanIVote.org.
What to bring: Voters should consider whether they need identification and
whether to bring notes.
In 32 states, voters must provide a valid form of identification, a requirement
that can often, but not always, be fulfilled with a passport or driver’s license,
according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In the remaining 18 states and the District of Columbia, voters can prove their
eligibility by providing some combination of a name, address, date of birth or
is not necessarily permanent. Some states restore the right in certain circumstances
or after a specified period.
Citizens unsure of their eligibility can check with local officials directly or, in
some cases, through the officials’ websites. To find out more, visit CanIVote.org.
What to bring: Voters should consider whether they need identification and
whether to bring notes.
In 32 states, voters must provide a valid form of identification, a requirement
that can often, but not always, be fulfilled with a passport or driver’s license,
according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
In the remaining 18 states and the District of Columbia, voters can prove their
eligibility by providing some combination of a name, address, date of birth or
While it isn’t necessary, reviewing and even filling out a sample ballot may save
time and confusion.
Vote411.org and Get to the Polls provide information voters can expect to see at
the polls, and local election officials often even provide sample ballots.
Help is available: Voters who need assistance should ask for it, especially
those with disabilities or other needs.
By federal law, voters with disabilities have the right to vote privately and
independently, and to be aided by workers at polling places.
“Election officials want to accommodate anybody’s needs in that line,” said
Wendy Underhill, the director of elections and redistricting for the National
Conference of State Legislatures.
States also have hotlines available to assist voters who have Election Day
questions or want to report suspicious activity.
In many states, including New York, if you’re in line by the time your polling
place’s closing time arrives, you are still allowed to vote.
time and confusion.
Vote411.org and Get to the Polls provide information voters can expect to see at
the polls, and local election officials often even provide sample ballots.
Once you get there
Help is available: Voters who need assistance should ask for it, especially
those with disabilities or other needs.
By federal law, voters with disabilities have the right to vote privately and
independently, and to be aided by workers at polling places.
“Election officials want to accommodate anybody’s needs in that line,” said
Wendy Underhill, the director of elections and redistricting for the National
Conference of State Legislatures.
States also have hotlines available to assist voters who have Election Day
questions or want to report suspicious activity.
In many states, including New York, if you’re in line by the time your polling
place’s closing time arrives, you are still allowed to vote.
A lot of last-minute campaigning: While many voters may encounter
people advocating for a candidate or issue on the way to the polls, states have various
laws limiting how close the campaigning can get.
“Everyone’s supposed to be able to show up and vote free from harassment and
intimidation,” Ms. Stimson said.
Such restrictive zones, which are typically marked, range in size from a few feet
to several hundred feet, typically from the entrance to the polling location, according
to a roundup of state laws compiled by the National Association of Secretaries of
State.
people advocating for a candidate or issue on the way to the polls, states have various
laws limiting how close the campaigning can get.
“Everyone’s supposed to be able to show up and vote free from harassment and
intimidation,” Ms. Stimson said.
Such restrictive zones, which are typically marked, range in size from a few feet
to several hundred feet, typically from the entrance to the polling location, according
to a roundup of state laws compiled by the National Association of Secretaries of
State.
Whom you can expect to see: Poll workers and other residents casting
ballots are not the only people voters may find at their polling places.
Academic and foreign observers may be there to study how well the election is
run, while partisan poll watchers may be reviewing sign-in sheets to know which
supporters they still need to turn out, Mr. Diorio said.
None, of course, should disrupt or try to influence the voting process.
There may also be authorized “vote challengers” who can question a voter’s
eligibility. Who may raise such objections, and what they may question, varies by
state, as the National Association of Secretaries of State’s list of poll watcher and
challenger laws shows.
ballots are not the only people voters may find at their polling places.
Academic and foreign observers may be there to study how well the election is
run, while partisan poll watchers may be reviewing sign-in sheets to know which
supporters they still need to turn out, Mr. Diorio said.
None, of course, should disrupt or try to influence the voting process.
There may also be authorized “vote challengers” who can question a voter’s
eligibility. Who may raise such objections, and what they may question, varies by
state, as the National Association of Secretaries of State’s list of poll watcher and
challenger laws shows.
At the voting booth
Read the directions and review your ballot: It may sound obvious, but
voters should carefully read instructions and always double-check their selections.
“Take the time you need to review your choices and cast the ballot the way you
want it to be cast,” Ms. Underhill said.
Voters can ask for replacement ballots if they make a mistake, and are not
required to fill the whole thing out, she added.
“This isn’t a test — just vote what you know and are interested in,” she said.
Provisional voting: Voters may cast a “provisional ballot” even if their
eligibility is in doubt, though they may be limited in where they can cast such a vote.
For more information, the National Conference of State Legislatures has a
detailed briefing on the issue, and state and local election officials and websites
should be able to answer any related questions.
Take selfies at your own risk: Voters should be cautious about sharing
ballot selfies. As Justin Timberlake found out last month, some states ban them.
According to a review by The Associated Press (and a recent court ruling in
California), at least 18 states ban the practice. The laws in a dozen other states are
not quite so clear.
The best bet? Follow the lead of Mr. Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel, and take a
selfie with your “I Voted” sticker instead.
not quite so clear.
The best bet? Follow the lead of Mr. Timberlake’s wife, Jessica Biel, and take a
selfie with your “I Voted” sticker instead.
