Election Day is officially less than a month away, and we’re feeling a mixture of anxiety and excitement! Seems like the buzz around voting has really amplified this year, but of course it has! This is 2020, after all.
The other day on Instagram, I shared some voter resources for Americans currently living outside of the USA. It had such a great response that I thought we should dedicate a whole blog post to voting resources and, of course, we had to include a little DIY with it as well (this one’s easy!)
Materials:
Register to Vote
First things first: you need to register to vote! Despite all the confusion and misinformation swirling around, it’s actually a pretty straightforward process, even if you just moved to a new state and you don’t have a license in that state. There are tons of voter resources in this post that should help, plus don’t forget our new vote stickers!
Registering to vote varies by state, so go ahead and google “voter registration,” followed by your state. For all states’ voter information and other valuable resources, check out Vote.Gov. Here you can choose which state you’re in from a drop-down menu, plus find out how you will vote if you’re already registered. If you moved recently, go to your new state’s voter website to find out the steps you need to take to register. It’s pretty easy!
To Vote By Mail, or In Person? That is the Question!
If you live in a vote-by-mail state (check this nifty resource to see if your state is on the list), you may have already received a ballot, or you will soon. Registered voters will receive official ballots a few weeks before the election.
The other option is good old fashioned waiting in line at the polls! Although this one takes a little bit more time, something about showing up to a polling place to cast my vote really makes my heart swell. Plus, you get the cool sticker. You can find your nearest polling place here.
Remember, there is no voting online, so don’t wait until the last second thinking you can do it with the click of a mouse. You will need to mail in a ballot or go to a polling place.
Voting Resources for Americans Living Abroad
If you’re an American expat living abroad, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to vote. That doesn’t mean you should sit out though (please don’t sit out!!). Even the astronauts in the International Space Station are voting!
Here are some great resources for absentee voters: from the US Department of State, VoteFromAbroad.org, and The New York Times.
It’s OK to Brag (With Vote Stickers!)
Once you’ve voted, you need to show off that “I Voted” Sticker! But what if you voted by mail like so many are doing? Not to worry. We have a printable for an I Voted! Pin, an Embroidery Patch Pattern (tutorial here), and of course our new Vote Stickers.
The Importance of Voting
Thomas Jefferson said, “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” So please use your right to vote and participate! Sources are already speculating the 2020 election may have the biggest voter turnout in history.
Use our voting resources and don’t forget to use our vote stickers for afterward—you can throw them on your water bottle, laptop, or anywhere you want to proudly display them.