What is your voting plan? Plus, A few ways every organization can support voters!

On November 5, voters in the United States of America heads to the polls. (Thought, many of us already mailed in our ballots or voted early.) 

What is your voting plan?

Yes, you need to make a plan! But more on that in a second.

First: As a voter, are you feeling overwhelmed by the decision-making process? You’re not alone. 

1. Remember you don’t have to vote on everything.

2. Access voter guides 

1. Check out your state’s voting website. (Search [your state] + voter guide.)

2. Take a look at the guides from The League of Women Voters.

3. Advocacy organizations, political parties, Unions, PACs usually issue voter guides that are both informative and can be persuasive so find organizations that align or clash with your viewpoints to better understand the issues.

3. Look into who endorses a candidate or issue. Be aware sometimes this can be misleading but with a little research you can align with what feels most aligned for you 

4. Look into past voting records. If it's someone running for public office, their voting history is public and could help you understand the decisions they have made in the past to see if this candidate is a good fit for you.

5. Be aware that there is often misinformation and disinformation out there. How can you tell? Here’s a Forbes article to read more about the difference.Here is the TLDR. Watch out for:

1. Authentic materials that appear in the totally wrong context 

2. Imposter websites that look like news 

3. Completely untrusted news sites - or news meant to just push one political agenda 

4. Fake information or aka lies 

5. Content that’s been manipulated 

6. Parody content 

Now, it’s time to make a plan to vote.

Most importantly, decide on the time and date you will vote or return your ballot. Maybe text it to a friend or family member who can help hold you accountable or check in to say – I did it – or even if you missed the window you originally set aside (life happens), they can ask what the second option for the day.

Personally, I’ll be sitting down with my mail-in ballots and voter guides this weekend. Typically, I pull up 6-8 voter guides, compare and contrast what I see written in different areas from different opinions, do a bit of internet research on ones that are less clear and then mark up my pre ballot with my plan. Sometimes, if I have a few I feel uncertain about, I'll text or call a friend or two to see what they are doing and why to see where I might fall on it. Then, I fill out my official ballot. I like to ride my bike down to the library closest to me where I can drop it in a mail in ballot box. My plan is to bike it over and drop it off in the ballot box on it on Saturday, November 1! I’ll write back when it’s complete! 

Now, how can your organization can support people to get out and vote?!  

Here are few ideas of ways:

1. Post the times polls are open in common areas and send out a organization-wide email. Let folks know where they can find early voting information online.

2. Post and share about the specific ways does your state incentivizes voting.

1. In California, the law allows you to take up to 2 hours off to vote, without losing pay (hours must be at the beginning or end of your shift). You must give employer 2 working days notice prior to the election, letting them know.

2. Your state doesn’t require employers to provide paid time off to vote? Offer it anyway.

3. What steps are you taking to make it easier for employees to vote on this day?

1. Avoid important or all-staff meetings or important deadlines.

2. Allow folks who can work remotely to do so, so they are closer to their polling location.