How Voters Can Prepare for the November 3 General Election

How Voters Can Prepare for the November 3 General Election

August 24, 2020
For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, DC - State election officials are working hard to ensure voters can cast their ballots safely and securely this Fall. With just 70 days until the November 3rd General Election, the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) reminds voters what they can do to prepare. For information on voting in your state or territory, or how to serve as an election worker, visit: www.nased.org/for-voters.

Register to Vote or Check Your Voter Registration Information
For eligible citizens, registering to vote takes just a few minutes and in many places, can be completed online.

If you are already registered to vote, take a minute to confirm your registration information. Moved? Changed your name? Not voted in a while? Just double checking? These are all good reasons to make sure that your voter registration record reflects your current circumstances. Your registered address impacts the candidates and races on your ballot and may impact where you can cast a ballot.

In some states, if you have not voted in a while, your voter status may say “inactive.” If everything else is correct, you do not need to reregister but you should contact your election official. If your information needs to be updated, doing so will move your status to “active.”

Make a Plan to Vote
If you prefer to vote at home and do not live in a state where your ballot is automatically mailed to you, request your ballot now. States start mailing ballots at different times, with the earliest in early- or mid-September. Requesting your ballot early means that if there are any unforeseen delays, you will have time to communicate with your election official about your options. To return your ballot, many states allow you to drop it at a voting location or secure dropbox, or you can mail it. However you return your ballot, do it early.

If you prefer to vote in-person and your state offers in-person voting before Election Day, take advantage of it to save time and avoid crowds.

If you plan to vote in-person on Election Day, do your homework. Many voting locations have changed due to COVID-19. Lines may seem longer due to social distancing and limitations on the number of people allowed inside the facility at one time. Safety is critical, so it may take more time to vote than in years past.

If you prefer to vote in-person, remember that all states will have options, but they may be limited.

Be an Election Worker
Many people who have served as election workers previously are not able to do so this year because of COVID-19. If you can, consider applying to be an election worker. Even states that mail every registered voter a ballot need temporary workers to process returned ballots. Election workers are paid and perform a critical service to their community.

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NASED Media Contact:
Amy Cohen, Executive Director
acohen@nased.org | 240-801-6029 | www.nased.org

ABOUT NASED
NASED is a nonpartisan professional association for state election directors in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the five US territories. In each of their states, election directors are responsible for implementing election laws and policies, maintaining the voter registration databases, working with local election officials to ensure a successful voting experience for all voters, and more. NASED facilitates the distribution of election administration best practices and information across the states and territories.