Election day this year is on Tuesday, November 8th. With that being two weeks away, here is some last minute information to make the voting process easier to understand and more convenient for you.
How to Register to vote
If you live in Colorado, you can register to vote online through the Secretary of State’s official website. You’ll need information such as your full legal name, birthdate, driver’s license number, and social security number to complete the form online. If you aren’t planning on registering to vote in the state of Colorado, I suggest you go to vote.gov. From there, you can choose your state from a drop-down menu, and then there will be more instructions on how to register to vote specifically in your state. Remember that each state will have its own list of requirements and deadlines. To register to vote in Colorado, you must be a United States citizen, a resident of the state of Colorado 22 days prior to the election, at least 18 years old on or before the election, and not have any felony convictions against you. In the state of Colorado, you can register to vote and vote on the same day. Therefore, the deadline is Tuesday, November 8th.
When To Turn In Your Ballot
There are several ways in which you can cast your vote. The most obvious but increasingly less common option is to show up on the day of the election at your local voting location and cast your vote in person. You can also request other accommodations if you decide to show up to vote in person, including receiving a ballot in Spanish, requesting a replacement ballot, or using certain services if you have a disability.
You can also vote early if you have a busy schedule and don’t think you’ll be able to make it to the polls on Election Day. Here in Colorado, ballots are mailed out to already registered voters. This year, they were mailed out on Monday, October 17th. Once you receive your ballot, you can cast your vote and drop your sealed, signed ballot at a ballot drop-off location. If you’re having difficulties finding a location near you, visit the Secretary of State’s website using this link in order to find the closest one to you.
If you’re a college student and are registered to vote in your home state, you’ll need to request an absentee ballot. You can also request an absentee ballot if you have an injury or disability that doesn’t allow you to make it to the local polling locations or if you are traveling due to work or on a vacation. Different states have different deadlines to request an absentee ballot, so check out this website to check your specific deadline. Remember, since your ballot is traveling by mail, it may need to be returned early and postmarked by a certain date to count.
What Happens on Election Day
If you voted early, congrats! You participated in the democratic process and made your voice heard. If you’re interested in keeping track of your ballot, you can sign up for text alerts, or you can visit Ballottrax for more detailed information on where your ballot is and if it has been received yet or not. If you vote in person or drop off your ballot at a voting center, you can go inside, talk to the poll workers, and even get an ‘I Voted’ sticker. Keep an eye out for election results in the following days or weeks. Although 2022 is not a presidential election year, the midterms are still so important, and you should be interested in the results. Congress could swing from being in control of the Democrats to being in control of the Republicans; Governors are up for reelection, and so are Attorney Generals. These people are vital in deciding both local and national legislation.
If there is an issue you are particularly passionate about, vote, because the people who represent you will be the ones voting on these specific issues. Aside from the major races, make sure to look at different ballot issues and local offices. These matter too. Do your research so that you can be informed and understand that all offices matter and that every vote counts.
