Hi, I am Adam Fogel, the Right to Vote Director at FairVote, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization based in Washington DC. Today, I am showing you how to register and vote in US election. Now, I will go through some tips for what to do on Election Day and where to find, where to go on Election Day.
After you have sent in your voter registration application, you will receive a voter registration card in the mail within a few weeks. If you don't receive your card, make sure to contact your local board of elections to make sure that they have received your application and that they are processing your voter registration card. If it's the day of election and you are not sure where to go, you can check on this non-partisan website sponsored by the League of Women Voters where you can type in your address and it will tell you where your precinct is. That website is www.vote411.org
Now just some tips for Election Day. Before going to the polls to vote, it's important to do some research. Feel free to bring in notes or list of candidates. Remember, this isn't a test and you are not going to be graded. So, feel free to bring in information that will help you vote faster and more efficiently. When you get to the polls on Election Day just wait in line. If there are long lines, just be patient. If you are in line before the polls close, it's still your right to vote. So make sure not to leave before you had an opportunity to vote.
When you reach the front of the line, you may be asked to show you’re ID. State ID laws vary from state to state. Some states require all voters to show voter ID. Other states only require first time voters to show ID. Whatever the case is you will be asked for your name and the poll worker will look up your name on the voter roll. If your name doesn't appear on the voting roll, do not leave. You still have the right to vote by provisional ballot. That means you will vote just like everyone else and then the Board of Elections will determine your eligibility based on if you are eligible to vote and also if you are registered to vote and you are voting in the correct precinct.
So if you know you are in the right precinct never leave and always ask for a provisional ballot. You can call your local Board of Elections about a week after Election Day to find out if your provisional ballot was counted and if it wasn’t counted, they will be able to tell you the reason that it wasn't. Don't be afraid to ask poll workers questions on Election Day, that's why they are there. If you need a ballot in another language or you made a mistake on your ballot, just ask the poll workers for help. If you have a question on Election Day, as are other people have the same question but they are just scared to ask.
Since you are watching this video, you know your rights and your responsibilities. So you know that you can ask poll workers for help if you need assistance voting on Election Day.
Finally, if you are feeling intimidated or threatened on Election Day, be sure to report that to your precinct poll workers and the police immediately. Voter intimidation is against the law. So, now you know what to do when you get to the polls on Election Day. If you have any other questions, contact your local board of elections or your secretary of states website. If you have general questions about voting or elections contact us at FairVote at www.fairvote.org So, that’s how you register and vote in the United States elections. Thank you.
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