US Vote Blog

Voting is one of the most important rights, privileges, and responsibilities we have as Americans, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and physical or mental ability. Your vote is your voice on who you want to represent you on local, state, and national levels and your voice on issues important to you.

Collectively, all voters including voters with disabilities can influence policies and impact outcomes that affect our families, our children, and our neighbors.

Absentee voting provides ease and convenience for domestic and overseas voters alike.

Indeed, many registered voters, particularly since the pandemic, have opted for this method. A mail-in or absentee ballot allows you to vote at your leisure: You can fill out a mail ballot from the comfort of your home, and avoid lines during the early voting period or on Election Day.

That said, sometimes voters change their minds before the day of the election and decide they’d rather vote in person, even after having requested an absentee ballot. That shouldn’t become a barrier to voting. You may need a little help figuring out what to do.

Did you know that voter turnout is historically lower for those with a disability than those without? In 2022, 121.9 million citizens cast their vote, of which 15.8 million reported having a disability. Another 15.3 million were said to have a disability, but did not vote.

It’s important to also consider care givers and those affected by someone with a disability when discussing voting gaps. The percentage of in-person voters with a disability needing assistance rose from 6% to 11% in 2022. While 10.3 million individuals living with someone with a disability did not vote in the 2022 election.

Is there still time to request my ballot? When are ballots mailed out and where's mine? Those questions and more are answered in this blog.

Here are the most commonly asked Domestic and Overseas Absentee Ballot questions from our Voter Help Desk. Have a look and see if your question is answered.

If you have a voting question that is not answered in the list, please consult our Voter Help Desk! 99.9% of all voter questions can be found in our FAQ. And in addition, we respond to questions you submit with personal answers. But here are the top 15. See if your answer is already waiting for you...

For many absentee / vote-by-mail voters waiting for their ballot to arrive, it's usually mid-October when the alarm goes off. “Where's my ballot?” is question number one. If you are one of those voters, here's what to do!

First - check to see if your state offers ballot tracking. Many states now have ballot tracking tools for voters to check the status of their ballot. These are excellent services that allow you to see that your ballot is sent to you, received, and counted.

Continue reading for additional steps and links to services that will help you to find your absentee ballot.

Ever wonder what those long-winded, confusing questions are at the end of your ballot? How were they formed, and how did they actually get to be on the ballot?

These questions are called "ballot measures:. They may also referred to as initiatives or referendums, and they are a mechanism that allows for citizens to weigh in and decide policy issues. Ballot measures typically deal with policies that affect our daily lives. Before you head out to your polling place this year, or return your mail-in ballot, be sure to review your sample ballot to be aware of any ballot measures ahead of time.

Our first "Election Reading List" book review examines James David Barber's book, The Presidential Character: Predicting Performance in the White House. Barber's question in the book is, "What qualities should we look for in a President?" Barber's answer is simple: character, presidential style, and worldview.

Barber outlines the four types of Presidential character by which voters can evaluate candidates.

Every Election Year, you have the opportunity to vote in both primary elections to choose your party's nominees, and then the general election in November. This 2024 election season is like no other with more excitement and anticipation to vote than ever before. Choosing how you cast your ballot is a personal choice, and the options are many.

Many voters prefer to vote in-person. They enjoy the feeling of walking into a polling place, physically submitting or scanning a ballot, and getting an “I Voted!” sticker, which you can be proud to wear.

For voters who wish to vote in person, here's a list of what to expect at the polling place.

Election season is underway! And the November Presidential Election will be here before you know it.  Many voted using a vote-by-mail ballot over the last couple elections due to the pandemic, but in-person voting remains an important option for upcoming elections this year. Many states expanded in-person voting options for 2024 and beyond.

Whether you vote in-person during your state’s early voting period or on Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, it’s important to get informed about your rights and responsibilities well before the big day. Voters in most states also have the option of voting by absentee or mail-in ballot.