Exercise Your Right! 2020 Voting Info, Dates, and Resources
- Meileen
- Jul 27, 2020
- 3 min read
With the presidential election approaching in a few months and issues of systemic racism coming to greater light, I think we all know how important it is to vote. If you haven’t heard it already: voting is one way to make a difference. You have power in your vote--don't discount it.
Know that your vote is important, even if you feel like it doesn't matter. And that goes for in both state and presidential elections. When it comes to voting in the presidential election, don't let the electoral college keep you from voting. If you don't know what the electoral college is or why it exists, please check out this unbiased video by KQED that explains it and breaks it down well in an easy-to-follow manner. Understanding the electoral college made me realize that despite what happened in 2016, your vote indeed matters. And yes, it still matters if you're not in a swing state. Swing states can change, and surprises can happen when people don't vote. And you don't have anything to lose by voting (except maybe some opportunity cost, but it's worth it)!
Voting Dates & Deadlines
California
General Election: November 3, 2020
Voter Registration & Updates Deadline: online or postmarked by Monday, October 19
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: received by Tuesday, October 27
Ballot Return Deadline: postmarked or hand-delivered by Tuesday, November 3; received by November 20
Return ballots via mail or drop-off (every registered voter will be mailed a ballot this time), or vote in person--find a voting center/drop-off near you here.
Oregon
General Election: November 3, 2020
Voter Registration & Updates Deadline: online or received by Tuesday, October 13
Absentee Ballot (it's technically not an absentee ballot, I think, but you can change your mailing address) Request Deadline: received by Thursday, October 29
Ballot Return Deadline: received by Tuesday, November 3, 8:00 pm PST
Return ballots via mail or drop box--find one near you here.
Washington
State Primary: August 4, 2020
Don't forget the importance of state elections! You are choosing both who will be representing your voice in Congress and who will be making local decisions for your community.
Ballot Return Deadline: received by Tuesday, August 4, 8:00 pm PST
General Election: November 3rd
Voter Registration or Updates Deadline: online or post received by Monday, October 26
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: *not specified--just do it as early as possible
Ballot Return Deadline: received by Tuesday, November 3, 8:00 pm PST
Return ballots via mail or drop box--find one near you here.
Resources
Register to vote online here.
Check on your registration status and information here.
I'd encourage you to do so to make sure that your vote counts. Even if your name is misspelled your vote can be discounted.
Get an absentee ballot here.
Remember to get an absentee ballot if you'll be going back to campus in the fall!
Please note that websites only aid you in filling out your absentee ballot request form--the job isn't all done online. Once you fill out the information that it asks for online, you will be sent an email with the form attached that you must print, sign, and mail to wherever the directions tell you.
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Hope this helps! Most of this information came from vote.org, which has a lot of voting information and resources for each state. If you don't live in California, Oregon, or Washington, you can find information for your state there. You can also sign up to get election reminders.
Though voting is without a doubt a right that we have in the U.S., it's important to not take it for granted. Many incarcerated people wish they could vote but cannot, and a lot of people around the world don't live in democracies, so exercise your right!
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