Know Your Plan

Check Your Voter Registration

In every state, voters must be registered to vote to cast a ballot. If you’ve moved or relocated recently, make sure you’re eligible to vote by checking your registration status. While some states offer same-day voter registration, others have strict registration deadlines. Save time by checking and registering to vote in advance.

Verify Your State’s Voting Requirements

States have different voter ID laws, so familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements. Doing this early ensures you have time to request the necessary or additional documents.

How to Cast Your Ballot

No matter where you live, you always have the option to vote in-person on Election Day. If you’re voting in-person, be sure to check your designated polling location and hours, as your local polling site may have changed since the last time you voted.

If your state has early voting, you can submit your ballot in-person ahead of Election Day. This is a helpful option if you expect to be working on Election Day or don’t know your schedule. If you know you will be working and still plan to vote in-person, make sure you request time off in advance.

All states allow for absentee ballots or voting by mail. However, some states require a valid rationale to do so, and states may have different deadlines for requesting and returning absentee or mail-in ballots.

Know the Issues

Part of making your plan to cast your ballot is taking time to familiarize yourself with the candidates and initiatives you’ll be voting on. Take some time before you vote to research the candidates and where they stand on issues impacting child health and the health of your community. Here are some actions you can take:

• Go to each candidate's website and see their stance on children's issues
• Participate in town halls and candidate forums to learn more and consider asking where the candidates stand on child health issues important to you and your community
• Check in with your AAP chapter for any election resources on where candidates stand for children
  
  

Additional Information, Resources and Ideas  

• Give your staff and trainees time to vote on election day and help share information on making a voting plan 
• U.S. Vote Foundation provides local election office contact information 
• If your access to the polls is impeded in any way, contact your local elections board, and see additional guidance from Vote.org
• If your access to the polls is limited by your mobility needs, see the resources from The Arc