Make your vote count: a student’s guide for the 2020 election
The 2020 election is fast approaching. Are you ready to vote? As college students, many of us are between the ages of 18 and 29: a demographic with chronically low voter turnout.
Voter Turnout by Age Graph by “The United States Election Project”
We as a generation are making up larger swaths of the voting population every year, but we won’t have much effect on election outcomes if we don’t show up. Take a look at the Election Checklist below to make sure you’re ready for November 3rd.
1. Confirm your voter registration status. Most states in the U.S. allow you to find out if you are registered to vote via the internet.
Minnesota voters, click here to check your status.
Wisconsin voters, click here to check your status.
Other voters, click here and select your state to check your status.
2. Register to vote. If you haven’t registered yet, or need to update your registration, now is the time to do it. Minnesota’s registration deadline is October 13th, so don’t wait too long! If you miss the registration deadline, many states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin, allow in person voter registration on election day.
To find your state’s registration deadline, click here.
To register to vote in Minnesota, click here.
To register to vote in Wisconsin, click here.
To register elsewhere, click here and select your state.
3. Request a mail-in ballot. If you want to vote early by mail for any reason (convenience, COVID, etcetera), make sure to request your absentee ballot ASAP to ensure you receive it before the election.
To request an absentee ballot for Minnesota, click here.
To request an absentee ballot for Wisconsin, click here.
To request an absentee ballot from elsewhere, click here and select your state.
4. Track your ballot. In the weeks leading up to the election, the Postal Service may be slow due to an overload of the system. If you are voting by mail, combat postal delays by sending in your ballot as early as possible. You can also track your ballot online to make sure it is delivered to be counted before your state’s deadline.
To track your Minnesota ballot, click here.
To track your Wisconsin ballot, click here.
To track a ballot from elsewhere, click here and select your state.
5. Locate your polling place. If you choose to vote in person instead of by mail, you will need to find out where your polling place is.
To find your Minnesota polling place, click here.
To find your Wisconsin polling place, click here.
To find your polling place elsewhere, click here and select your state.
6. Early voting. Some states allow in-person early voting (sometimes called “in person absentee voting”) for those who don’t want to vote by mail or wait for election day.
Click here for information on early voting in Minnesota.
Click here for information on early voting in Wisconsin.
Click here to find out if your state allows early voting.
7. Vote down the ballot! Remember that state and local elections are just as important as the presidential election.
Click here to find out what will be on your Minnesota ballot.
Click here to find out what will be on your Wisconsin ballot.
Voting is essential if you want to have a say in how this country is run. It is your responsibility and your right to participate in electing leaders for our country. Make your voice heard. Vote.
