Ballots are either on their way to your mailbox or will be there by the end of this week.  Do you have a plan for voting in the November 3 election? 

Confusion abounds about COVID-19-related changes to voting, efforts to purge people from voter registries, and unusual delays in U.S. Postal Service delivery. It is more important than ever to be hyper vigilant with your vote.

“I’ve been voting by mail for years. Given the stakes of this election, this year I’ve signed up to track my vote-by-mail ballot. I just recently received a text message that my ballot is on its way and should be received in five to seven days,” said Diane Blair, CFA Secretary and Professor at Fresno State. “I’m on the lookout for it and plan to vote early. I will also be able to track it once it is received and counted. You can sign up for this tracking service through the California Secretary of State website.”

CFA Associate Vice President of Lecturers, South, Leslie Bryan, is also planning on tracking her ballot once she sends it in.

“I’m looking in my mailbox every day for my mail-in ballot.  I plan to fill it out that day and drop it off at one of the city’s official ballot drop-off spots. I’m doing it, my son’s doing it, and my daughter in-law’s doing it,” said Bryan, a lecturer at CSU San Bernardino.  “We’re all so caught up in our work. I would not wait. Time goes by so fast, so I’m telling people to vote early.  Especially people of color and our young people.

“So much is at stake. Funding for the CSU, progress on racism and social justice issues; all of those are banked on getting a Democrat to win.”

Use the tips below to prepare to cast your ballot, and encourage your family, friends, coworkers, and students to participate in this pivotal election:

  • Register to vote here.
    • Deadline to register to vote online is October 19 if you want to avoid going to an elections office or polling place on Election Day. You have until October 27 to request a mail-in ballot.
  • If you are unsure if you’ve already registered, check your status here.
    • This step is also important if you have moved or sat out the last few elections.
  • Find the nearest ballot drop-off location here.
  • Track your ballot here.
  • If you are mailing in your completed ballot, you do not need a stamp! But it must be postmarked by November 3, and election officials must receive it by November 20. To avoid possible postal delays, return your ballot as early as possible.
  • Same-day voter registration is allowed on Election Day; however, you must do so in person at an elections office or polling place. Find those locations here.

For a comprehensive resource center on voting, including setting election reminders or volunteering as a poll worker, visit vote.org.

 

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