Voting Guide 2020

No matter what your politics are, the most important thing you can do as a citizen is to exercise your right to vote. Below are key dates and information about voting in November's election. Make sure you are registered to vote!

Register to Vote Online Here

Voter Registration Deadlines

1. Ohio: October 5th

2. North Carolina: October 9th

3. Colorado: October 26th

4. California: Oct 19

Sample Ballot Lookup for 2020 Here

1. Input your address where you are registered to vote

2. Familiarize yourself on the issues BEFORE you vote (know what saying "yes" and "no" means to each proposition)

3. Know the candidates running for positions in your area

How to Vote in your State

California

Vote on Election Day All registered voters in California will receive a ballot by mail. However, in-person voting locations will be available to voters. Polling locations may be found online by visiting the Secretary of State's My Voter Status tool.

Vote early California voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Monday, October 5, 2020 to Monday, November 2, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live. Early voting and vote-by-mail ballot drop off locations may be found on the Secretary of State's Early Voting website.

Voting by Mail

All registered voters will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot for the November 3, 2020 General Election. Registered voters do not have to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot for this election.

1. Fill out your ballot

2. After you have voted, insert your ballot in the envelope provided, making sure you complete all required information on the envelope.

3. You may return your voted ballot by mail, in person, or to a drop box

• If you are returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received by your county elections office no later than 17 days after Election Day.

• If you are returning your ballot in person or dropping it in a drop box, it must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8:00 p.m. on November 3rd.

• Anyone may return your ballot for you, as long as they do not get paid on a per ballot basis. In order for your ballot to be counted, you must fill out the authorization section found on the outside of your ballot envelope.

Colorado

Vote on Election Day Voters registered in Colorado can look up where to vote on Colorado's site.

Vote early Colorado voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Monday, October 19, 2020 to Monday, November 2, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.

Voting by Mail

Colorado conducts elections by mail. If you are registered to vote before Monday, October 26, 2020, you should expect to receive a ballot at your designated mailing address. You can return your ballot by mail, or find a drop box on Colorado's site.

Ohio

Vote on Election Day Voters registered in Ohio can look up where to vote on Ohio's site.

Vote early Ohio voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Tuesday, October 6, 2020 to Monday, November 2, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.

Vote by Mail

1. Request your mail-in ballot with a mail ballot application.

2. Fill out the application completely.

3. Submit the request to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2020.

4. When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.

North Carolina

Vote on Election Day Voters registered in North Carolina can look up where to vote on North Carolina's site.

Vote early North Carolina voters can also vote before Election Day. The early voting period runs from Thursday, October 15, 2020 to Saturday, October 31, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.

Vote by Mail

1. Request your mail-in ballot with an Absentee Ballot Request Form.

2. Fill out the application completely.

3. Submit the request to your local election office. You should request your ballot as far in advance of the election as possible. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

4. When your ballot arrives, read it carefully and follow the instructions to complete it and return it.

Don't see voting information on your state of residence here? Go to ALL IN To Vote and enter your state.

Additional Resources

1. Tips for Navigating the Election Process for Students and First Time Voters

2. President Obama writes about the importance of voting among young people

3. Text "vote" to 30330 to get voting information for your county of residence

4. Vote Save America

5. Look up a sample ballot based on your county of residence

6. Familiarize yourself on the issues BEFORE you vote

7. Know what saying “yes” and “no” means in regard to each issue

8. Know the candidates running for positions in your area