New(er) Voters Information

What do people need to know so that they DO show up?  This page is here to explain the basics of voting and elections.  If you don't see what YOU need, just let us know.  We'll add it!

What does a polling place look like?

Who works there and what do they do?

A polling place is a bit like a store, or the DVS when you get your license.  There are steps to go through, things for you to sign, and the hope to get your stuff done and get out as soon as you can!  The people working at the polling place ('the polls') are there to help!  Click on the link to the right to see what you'll see, who works there, and where you will go to get voting.  

THE POLLING PLACE EXPLAINED

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Elections with an S? 
There are more than one?

Some years there are four or more elections!  Depending on where you live (all voting depends on where you live), you might have the opportunity to vote more than once, but each of those elections is different.  Click the link on the right to read about the types of elections.

TYPES OF ELECTIONS

Presidential Nomination Primary Ballot Sample=============================================================================================================

What does a ballot look like?

Is it complicated?

How long is it?

Ballots (click the links on the right to see some examples) are paper forms you use to choose between people who want your vote for the same office (candidates).  You vote by filling in the circle/bubble next to your choice, just like standardized tests you may have taken before in school.

Each vote you make on a ballot has the name of the office, the names of the people running for that office, and a line for the voter to write in the name of a person not listed on the ballot who the voter wants to vote for instead.

Ballots can have a single item or over 20 races and questions depending on on the election.  You decide on the races that you vote on.  If you have an opinion on one or two or four races, then just vote for those.  It's up to you.  Eventually, you may want to vote on every race, but either way no one knows but you.

SAMPLE PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT

SAMPLE MIDTERM BALLOT

SAMPLE MUNICIPAL BALLOT
(with ranked choice voting)

SAMPLE PRIMARY BALLOT

SAMPLE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PRIMARY BALLOT

Is there a 'better' way than just showing up
to my polling place on Election Day?

YES!  A few things to consider:

• Register to vote ahead of time!  This not only makes any process you choose to vote with quicker and easier, if there is an issue, it gives you time to fix it. (Registering at least 21 days before Election Day makes sure you are on the list and ready to vote when you show up.)

• You don't have to wait until Election Day (although you certainly can, if you want.  Lots of people want to experience voting at a polling place at least once, but some vote every time and have never been to the polling place.)  There are options!
  • Vote early by mail. (Request your ballot to be mailed to you using the online form and it will be mailed wherever you want starting at 46 days before Election Day.)
  • Vote early in person. (Every county must have at least one place to vote early in person, and many counties have lots of places. [NOTE: These are NOT the same as your polling place in most cases.]  Check with your county or city to see what they offer for locations.)
    • From 46 to 19 days ahead, it's another form of Absentee Voting.  Just like voting by mail, you fill out an absentee ballot request form, and place your ballot in an envelope.  You just do it all in person at the early voting site.(See the process outlined here.)
    • Starting at 18 days it will look a lot like voting on election day, including putting your completed ballot in a tabulator (ballot box that counts the votes) instead of the envelopes for voting with an absentee process.

• Don't leave it to chance; make a plan to vote!  While this may seem like overkill, it isn't.  We all have busy lives and schedules and surprises.  Making a plan to vote helps keep you on track to vote, accounting for the when, where, and how, and also the with-whom to make the process a social event as well.  Voting with others supports all of you in the process of voting. Experiencing the process together lowers any anxiety and gets questions shared and answered. See the planning tools to the right.

• Study up on the parts and process of voting.  I know, I know. STUDY VOTING?  Doing anything for the first time (or until you are comfortable) can be...uncomfortable.  Some people will stay away when it seems there is a lot they don't know.  NO NEED! Become familiar with the parts and process of voting, and you'll know everything you need to know, and keep anxiety about voting at bay.
  • Step 1 Register to Vote (Registering at least three weeks ahead means you are checked out and set to vote on Election Day, no proof of who you are and where you live required.  They check it when you register!  You CAN register when you vote- on Election Day or early, but you'll have to prove you are who you say you are and you live where you say you live.)()
  • Step 2 Research the ballot.  You can SEE (and download or print) your sample ballot with all the offices and candidates and questions on it starting 46 days before Election Day.  You can mark it up, do research on candidates and what they believe (to decide who would serve you best), and carry it with you to the polling place.  (You can't vote with a sample ballot, so you will fill out the real ballot when you vote.)