This election season MAKERS encourages all citizens to fulfill their democratic duty by registering to vote and casting a ballot. Voting is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal to make our voices heard and bring about real change. Election Day this year is scheduled for November 5th, with the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, facing off against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump.
In the 2020 presidential election, voter turnout hit a record high, with 66.6% of eligible voters participating. With approximately 244 million Americans eligible to vote in 2024, if we see a similar turnout, that would translate to around 162 million votes cast.
The high voter turnout is largely due to the nearly 41 million Gen Z voters (ages 18-27) eligible to vote in this election, including roughly 8.3 million new Gen Z voters who have become eligible since the 2022 midterm elections.
The first step is to make sure you are registered to vote. Visit Can I Vote and select “voter registration status.” From there you can select your state and you will be taken to a page on your state’s election website where you can check your voting status. Remember, some states have a registration deadline that is as much as 30 days prior to Election Day so do NOT wait to check your status.
If you’re looking for more information here is a quick guide on how to register to vote in federal, state and local elections.
Ways to Register:
Vote.gov:
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To begin the voter registration process first select your state or territory. Depending on its rules, you will find instructions on how to register online, by mail and in person at your local election office.
National Mail Voter Registration Form:
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Once downloaded, you can fill it out onscreen and print the completed form. Or you can print the blank form and fill it out by hand. Remember to sign the form before mailing it to the location listed for your state.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program:
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This program lets you register to vote and request an absentee ballot if you are a U.S. citizen living outside the United States, a service member stationed abroad or a spouse or eligible family member of a service member stationed abroad.
Check with local government offices to see if you can register in person:
Documents Needed to Register:
The required documents you need to register vary by state. However, in most cases you will need either a driver’s license or a state ID to register to vote. If you do not have either of these, it may be possible to provide other types of documentation, including a bank statement or utility bill. Check with your state’s election office to find out what documentation they accept.
