The Rally+Rise Voter Guide

The stakes are high this election—and it goes beyond the Presidential race. From flipping the Senate to turning state legislatures blue to electing progressive local officials (think mayors, sheriffs, and even school board members), there are so many ways that we can bring about the change we want to see through the people we cast our votes for.

It’s going to take more than just voting to actually change things…but we need legislators on our side. And in 2016, roughly 43% of eligible voters did not vote. If we want to win, we need to change that.

And it starts with you: Making sure that you’re ready to vote. Making sure that you’re informed enough to confidently cast your ballot. Making sure that your vote actually counts.

Here’s what you need to know:

When am I voting?

Every state has different voting rules—and that includes poll hours, early voting dates, and vote-by-mail options. For the most accurate info, call your county’s Board of Elections—or check NBC’s Plan Your Vote (the best guide we’ve found, TBH).

Whatever you do, look up these dates right now and jot them down, so you’re all set to vote.

If you’re not quite sure if you want to vote by mail, vote early in-person, or vote on election day, turn to page 6 of our Get Registered workbook and come up with your voting plan right now.

Want to vote early?

  • That’s a great idea. Your early voting location may be different than your election day voting location, so make sure you confirm before heading out. (Same goes with poll hours.)

  • Don’t forget to wear a mask and bring an ID, if your state requires one.

 Want to vote by mail?

  • 45 states allow people to vote by mail without an excuse (or with Covid-19 as an excuse). But there are deadlines for when you can request your ballot and when the ballot is received by, so make sure you request yours ASAP.

  • There are also very specific rules for mail-in ballots—from signatures to secrecy envelopes—that must be followed carefully; otherwise, your vote could be rejected. Read the instructions and go through this checklist carefully to make sure your vote is counted.

 Want to vote on election day?

  • You can find your poll location and hours at your county’s Board of Elections website. (If you live in NYC, you can look up your poll location here.)

  • Don’t forget to wear a mask (duh) and bring snacks and reading material, in case there’s a line. Friendly reminder that as long as you are in line by the time the polls close, you must be allowed to cast your ballot!

  • See something weird/suspicious/dangerous? Experiencing any form of voter disenfranchisement? Report it immediately to the voter protection hotline: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

  • Voting selfies are fun, but in some states they’re actually illegal. (Wild, right?) You can check your state’s status here—or if you want to be safe, opt for a pic with your “I Voted” sticker instead of your ballot.

Who am I voting for?

Want to know what your ballot looks like ahead of time?

You can look yours up through ballotpedia.org.

If you live in NYC, you can check out an example at whoseontheballot.org.

Warning: These sample ballots might not include every single super-local race or ballot measure, so do your research before you hit the polls.

 Wondering what some of these seats actually mean?

President: You know what this one is. If you’re in New York, remember to vote for Joe Biden on the Working Families Party line. (NY has something called fusion voting, which means that your vote will still count towards Biden’s total, but it sends a message that you believe in progressive issues.)

It’s about so much more than just the President, though. These are the key legislative races and these are the important criminal justice races happening across the country this election.

Want to know which candidates you should support?

It goes without saying that the GOP has shown themselves to be the party of Trump—at every level of government.

But being an informed voter means going beyond just voting straight down the ballot for Democrats. It means knowing who these candidates are, so that you can hold them accountable to the promises they’ve made once they’re elected.

Our advice? Do your research—local media (think newspapers, TV, and more) is more likely to cover smaller races than the national press. You can find great coverage of criminal justice-related races at The Appeal, and key referenda at whatsontheballot.com.

Another good thing to check: endorsements. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some key progressive endorsers this election cycle:

Barack Obama
Bernie Sanders
Color of Change
Democratic Socialists of America
Elizabeth Warren
Indivisible
Planned Parenthood
Run For Something
Sister District
Sunrise Movement
Working Families Party