Tomorrow is Election Day, and my inbox has been swamped with questions about what’s allowed and what’s not when you go to the polls. I wanted to answer them here so that you can be prepared.
Where is my polling location?
I have a resource for you! Go to sharonmcmahon.com/vote to find your polling place, what you’ll need to bring with you, see what’s on your ballot, and all the other information you need!
If you are in line when the polls close, stay in line.
You have the right to vote, even if the polls close while you’re in line. You may remain in line as long as it takes to cast your ballot, as long as you got into the line before polls closed. Make sure you know what time the polls close in your state by looking that up here.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.
Don’t cross out a mistake and try to correct the ballot you messed up on. That will cause confusion about who you selected and your vote may not count. Instead, ask the election workers at your polling site for a new one.
If the electronic voting machines at your polling location are broken, ask for a paper ballot.
If less than half of the machines are broken, you’ll just need to wait your turn. If more than half of the voting equipment isn’t working, election officials must let you vote with a paper ballot. You can also report the broken machines to your county board of elections.
Plenty of people don’t have the option to vote electronically at their polling location, and only have paper ballots, and that’s fine too!
I was going to vote by mail, but decided I wanted to vote in person. Can I do that?
Yes, you can! Bring your ballot and the return envelope to your polling location. Poll workers can cancel the mail ballot and you can vote in person. But you do need the whole mail-in ballot package, including the envelope it came in.
If you lost the mail ballot or it got damaged, you will have to vote on a provisional ballot instead. You also have the right to ask for a provisional ballot if your name does not appear on the voting list (and you’ve double-checked that you’re at the right location).
A provisional ballot is a regular ballot but instead of being put into the scanner or ballot box, it’s put into a special envelope. After the polls close, the voter registration information is confirmed by an election worker. Once that info is confirmed, it is counted like other ballots.
Do I need to bring an ID to vote, and if so, what kind?
Every state is different, and it might depend on how you registered to vote. For example, if you registered online and this is your first time voting, you might be required to show ID. Some states require ID for all voters.
If you forget your ID and your state requires one, you might still be able to vote with a provisional ballot or by signing a form affirming your identity.
You can check your state’s ID requirements here before heading to the polls.
If you need accommodations, just ask.
Polling places should be accessible for every voter, including those with a disability. If you are worried about your polling location, you can call your county’s election office and check about accommodations.
Poll workers are required to make reasonable accommodations to allow you to vote, in accordance with ADA standards. In federal elections (like this one), polling places are required to provide a private space for people with disabilities. This usually includes a machine that can read the ballot to you if you are visually impaired or have trouble reading due to dyslexia.
Under federal law, any voter with a disability or anyone that has difficulty reading or writing English has the right to receive help from a person of their choice. It’s important to note, this person providing help cannot be the person’s employer or anyone working on behalf of their employer, and also cannot be a representative of the voter’s union if they are part of one.
Poll workers are also required to help anyone who asks, as long as they are able to do so.
Is there a dress code for voting?
Yes – what you wear in some states does matter. Almost half of US states prohibit anyone from wearing campaign related material (this includes buttons, hats, stickers, etc) within a certain distance of polling locations. This is true even if you are employed by the campaign.
States with restrictions are: Arkansas, California, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Vermont.
In short: It is best to leave any campaign related material at home when you head to vote just in case!
Can I take a picture of my ballot?
It depends what state you live in, so be sure to check your state’s laws. It is probably safer to just take a selfie with your “I voted” sticker instead of inside the voting booth.
Can I bring a cheat sheet to the polls?
You can bring paper to the voting booth. Some states have rules about having your phone out while you’re in the booth, so paper is probably a better bet. You can also bring sample ballots with you to the polls if that’s easier.
If you aren’t sure what your jurisdiction allows, you can contact your local election office before going to the polls. Enter your address here to find their contact information.
Is my kid allowed in the voting booth with me?
Yes! Bringing your children to vote is a great way to teach them about the democratic process! Bringing your minor child to vote with you is allowed in every state.
What if someone tries to prevent me from voting?
Know your rights. You don’t need to speak English to vote. You don’t have to pass a test to vote. If you have mental health disabilities, you cannot be prevented from voting. If you feel like you are being intimidated or discriminated against at the polls, call your local election office, which will be open on Election Day.
You can find your election office here.
I hope every single one of you votes in this election. It’s a fundamental right provided to all US citizens, which is not true in every country. It’s part of what makes this country what it is.
Let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll do my best to answer them!