The Election is just a few weeks away, and millions of people across the United States have already voted. For the majority of us college students, 2020 marks the first presidential election in which we are eligible to vote. Not only that, it will clearly be among the most important in our lifetimes. You may be feeling overwhelmed, but don’t worry! Here we break down everything you need to know about how to vote and what you are voting on in this monumental election, as well as providing some general tips and resources.
Getting Your Ballot
First of all, make sure you are registered to vote! To check, visit here or register here by October 19th. If voting in person, you can register through November 3rd.
All registered CA voters were sent a mail-in ballot to their permanent residences, which went out on October 5th. If you’re living in SLO right now but registered with your home address, you may need to have your ballot delivered to you from home.
What You’re Voting On
We all know that we’ll be voting on the Presidential ticket this year, but there are so many other topics on the ballot too! For the national government, you may also vote for your United States Representative.
For California state government, you can vote for your State Senate and State Assembly members for your specific district. To find out which district you’re in, visit here.
Which local seats are up for election this year depends on your county and city, and can include city council seats, mayor, school board members, and more. Visit your local government website for more details.
Propositions are proposed pieces of legislation to be approved by voters, and there are 12 on the California ballot this year. Here, you can see a summary of each, as well as what a vote of “yes” or “no” means and some of the pros and cons.
Ways to Vote
Once you’re registered and have made your decisions on what to vote on, it’s time to make a plan for how you will vote. California has options for voting by mail, in person, or dropping off a ballot in person.
If you are voting by mail, you must mail back your ballot so that it is postmarked by November 3rd and received by November 20th. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt to vote early, so try to get yours in as soon as possible!
If you are dropping off your ballot to an official ballot box or voting center (make sure it is a legitimate location) the deadline is also election day, November 3rd. Early voting began on October 5th, so you should be able to vote already! Check here to find your nearest location for drop-off voting, as well as the dates and hours that it is open.
If you are voting in person, the dates to start voting vary by county. In San Luis Obispo, in-person voting begins on October 31st, and all voting places close on November 3rd. If you do plan to vote in person, make sure that you stay safe by wearing your mask or other protective gear.
Where To Go For More Information
CA voter guide, poll worker registration, and more: Official California Election Page
More details, succinct proposition videos and key races info: Cal Matters Voter Guide
Register or check your status: Register to Vote
Ensure that your ballot is counted: Track Your Ballot
We hope that this helps you to be a more informed and prepared voter this election. Remember to stay safe as you exercise your privilege to vote!