5 Simple Ways To Vote In A Primary Election

In some states, such as Illinois, you can participate in a Primary Election if you’re 17 years old as long as you’ll be 18 by the time of the General Election. [2] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Vote Foundation Nonprofit organization helping all American citizens participate in elections Go to source If you’re not 18 years old yet, go to https://www. vote. org/pledge-to-register and sign up to receive a reminder text on your 18th birthday. The text will include a link where you can register to vote. You may not be eligible to vote if you’ve been convicted of a felony or committed by the state. Visit your local election website to find out more about eligibility laws in your state. If you have a felony conviction, you can learn more about your voting rights here: https://campaignlegal. org/restoreyourvote.

Many states now allow same-day or Election Day registration. Even if you miss the deadline, you may still be able to register and cast a ballot on Election Day or during early voting. In 2020, the U. S. Primary Elections will take place between early February and early June. Check an election calendar like the one available from the New York Times so you’ll know when your primaries take place and you can begin planning in advance. [4] X Research source If you’re in the military or will be overseas at election time, your registration deadline may be different.

You’ll need to enter information such as your name, date of birth, and street address. You can also check your registration status at https://www. nass. org/can-I-vote. In addition to displaying your registration information, this site will give you information about your early voting and election day polling locations. If you have questions about your registration status, contact your Local Election Official. You can find a directory on the Overseas Vote Foundation website: https://www. overseasvotefoundation. org/vote/eod. htm.

If you’re a first-time voter registering by mail, you must provide a copy of a current, valid photo ID or a document that shows proof of residency, such as a utility bill, bank statement, or paycheck that shows your name and address. You can either include copies of these documents in your registration application or present them at the polls when you vote. [6] X Research source

You can also register online at https://www. vote. org/register-to-vote/. If you wish to register in person, you can find your local election office here: https://www. usa. gov/election-office. The National Mail Voter Registration Form is available in 15 languages on the U. S. Election Assistance Commission website. [9] X Research source Many states now offer Same Day Registration, which will allow you to register and vote on the same day. Typically, you can register in these states either on Election Day or during early voting.

If you’re voting absentee while residing in the U. S. , you may have to provide a valid excuse for your absence, such as going on a business trip, attending college in another state, or being unable to physically get to the polls due to illness or disability. In many states, you can vote absentee without providing an excuse. Look into this option if you prefer the convenience of mailing in your ballot. If you’re an overseas citizen or a member of the U. S. military, you can register and request an absentee ballot at the same time by visiting https://www. overseasvotefoundation. org or using the Federal Post Card Application. [11] X Research source

For example, you can vote Republican even if you’re a registered Democrat, but you can’t vote in both elections. You can also vote in either primary (but not both) even if you’re registered Independent or did not declare an affiliation.

For example, in 2020, the date for Minnesota’s Presidential Preference Primary Election is Tuesday, March 3. The date for the 2020 Minnesota State Primary Election is Tuesday, August 11. [14] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Vote Foundation Nonprofit organization helping all American citizens participate in elections Go to source

Some states will allow you to vote as early as 45 days before Election Day, while others only open up the polls a few days before the election. [16] X Trustworthy Source National Conference of State Legislatures Bipartisan, nongovernment organization serving the members of state legislatures and their constituents Go to source You can also find out your early polling locations when you check your voter registration status on CanIVote. org.

When you click the link for your state, you will need to provide information such as your zip code and street address. Alternatively, you may be able to look up your polling place by providing your name, date of birth, and county of residence.

You can find a guide to the voter ID requirements in each state and territory on the National Conference of State Legislatures website or by visiting https://www. vote. org/voter-id-laws/. Some states require a photo ID (such as a driver’s license or state ID), while others require non-photo IDs, such as a bill or bank statement with your name and address on it. Even some states that require an ID may provide other options for proving your identity, such as using a provisional ballot or signing an affidavit of identity. If you can’t provide an ID, check your state’s laws to find out if you have other options.

In an open primary, you can request either a Republican ballot or a Democratic ballot, regardless of the affiliation listed on your voter registration card. If you’re voting absentee or by mail, you don’t have to visit a polling place. Simply fill out your ballot and mail it to the specified address.

If you’re using a paper ballot, you may be asked to fill in bubbles next to the names of your chosen candidates with a pen or pencil, or to use a stylus to punch holes in the ballot. When you’re done, the poll workers may ask you to insert the completed ballot into a box or other safe receptacle. If you’re using a touchscreen voting machine, you’ll use your finger or a stylus to select the candidates of your choice on the screen. Before you cast your ballot, you will be given an opportunity to review it.

For example, in Oregon, you must declare an affiliation when you register in order to vote in all congressional, state, and Presidential primaries. Voter registration in Oregon closes 21 days before the election, so you must choose well in advance of Election Day. [21] X Research source In some states, an independent voter can choose to register with a party on Election Day, or a voter registered with one party can switch at the polls. You can find out which states have closed or semi-closed primaries by visiting https://www. openprimaries. org/primaries_by_state.

For example, if you’re an unaffiliated voter in Idaho, you can participate in whichever party’s primary you choose. However, if you’re already affiliated with a party, you must disaffiliate with that party by the 10th Friday before the primary election in order to vote in another party’s primary. [23] X Research source

If you’re voting as an independent or NPA (No Party Affiliation) voter in a semi-closed primary, ask for the ballot of your choice. Once you receive your ballot, follow the directions from the election judges to fill it out and cast your votes. In some cases, you may be able to vote in a closed primary regardless of your party affiliation. For example, voters of any affiliation in Florida can participate in a Universal Primary Contest, which takes place when all the candidates for a specific office have the same party affiliation. [24] X Research source

Alaska, Iowa, Kansas, Maine and Wyoming (both parties) Nevada, Washington, and North Dakota (Democrats only) Hawaii and Kentucky (Republicans only)

For example, if you live in Iowa and want to participate in the Democratic caucus, visit https://iowademocrats. org/. To participate in the Republican caucus, go to https://www. iowagop. org/. Your caucus location may be different from your regular polling place (e. g. , where you would go to vote in the General Presidential Election).

For example, the 2020 Iowa Democratic and Republican caucuses both began at 7:00 PM on February 3. It’s best to arrive slightly before the designated time (e. g. , 30 minutes ahead of time) so that you can check in and go to the designated area.

For example, in the Iowa Republican Caucus, caucus-goers write down their preferred candidates on a paper ballot. In the Nevada Democratic caucus, attendees are divided up into “Presidential preference groups. ” Election officials then tally up the number of people in each group to determine if a candidate has enough votes to be considered “viable” (e. g. , 15% or more of the votes). [28] X Research source If your candidate doesn’t get enough votes to be considered viable in the first round of voting, you may have an opportunity to join a different group or vote for your second choice. You can also try to convince other caucus-goers to join your group.

If you prefer, you can leave after the nominating contest ends. You aren’t obligated to stay for party business.

Websites that address specific issues can also provide helpful information. For example, if you’re concerned about civil rights, visit the American Civil Liberties Union website to read up on current issues and events.

For example, you can view politicians’ congressional voting records on the United States Senate website. [31] X Research source Websites like BallotReady. org provide detailed information about each candidate, including their platforms, career histories, and voting records.

You may also be able to get unofficial sample ballots from nonprofit organizations in your area. [33] X Research source These unofficial voter guides sometimes provide issue-specific information that’s not available on official ballot samples.

You can find voter guides in your local newspaper or through websites like BallotReady. org. For example, in 2020, several states introduced ballot measures relating to the legalization, taxation, and regulation of marijuana use. [35] X Research source