We've been voting forever, but we're still not great at it. Comparing turnout among the voting-age population in the 2020 presidential election against recent national elections in 49 countries, the U.S. ranks 31st, between Colombia (62.5%) and Greece (63.5%). ~ Pew Research, 11/2022.
The U.S. can be better at voting! You can help by doing just one thing: register to vote, check your existing registration, or ask friends and family to do the same!
Check Your Registration
Are you registered to vote? Even if you think you are, check your record to be sure your information is up-to-date. Sometimes, election boards remove people from state voter rolls without notice; or maybe you’ve moved. National Voter Registration Day is a great time to be sure your voter information is present, your contact information is accurate, and to verify your voting precinct and location.
Spread the word
All voters can do work in their homes and communities to help increase the number of voters in our country. Mobilize at least three people in your family, church, and work networks to vote and check their voter registrations, too. If you want to do more to help voting in your community, check with your election board to see what roles citizens can have on Election Day. Read here for a personal story of working the polls in Cleveland from Bob Kloos of the Ohio NETWORK Advocate Team.
Sign up for Voter Alerts
Voters in some states have off-year elections in 2023. Check election dates and deadlines for general elections in Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia–all of which have November 7, 2023 election days. Elections in Louisiana will take place on November 18, 2023.
Voters in other states, be sure to sign up for alerts below to receive election dates and deadlines in your state.
Early voting regulations, ballot measures, poll hours, etc. vary by state and locality. VOTE411 has state-by-state information to provide all of the information you need to know about voting in your locality. VOTE411 is a service of the League of Women Voters Education Fund. See their interactive map.
It's true, our country hasn't been great at voting. But...
The 2024 election season is on the horizon. With democracy under threat from powerful people, Christian nationalists, and others who seem to limit access to voting and dismantle democratic institutions and practices, it’s imperative that justice-seekers protect and advocate for an inclusive, multi-faith, and multiracial democracy.
NETWORK staff are preparing to help give supporters and advocates the resources they need to turn out voters and mobilize friends and family to vote for the multiple social justice issues that can be improved with voting.
Once our 2024 election plans are finalized, we will let you know. Until then, please read and share past blogs on voting and democracy.