With the election right around the corner, there has never been a better time to learn how to vote. Furthermore, for many people on the Hill, Nov. 5th will be their first time participating in an election. Below you can find step-by-step instructions on how to make sure your voice is heard this election day.
- Register to vote
The first step in preparing for the election is registering to vote. Before moving forward, you need to note that you cannot register in more than one state. Students can register at either their address or their school address. The Kentucky deadline to register to vote in the 2024 election is Oct. 7. By visiting vote.gov, you can select your state and begin the process of registering to vote.
- Be aware
Before you cast your vote, make sure you know the candidates. Being informed is one of the best ways to prepare for any election. Seeking out various sources about candidates is important. Using websites ending in “.org” or “.gov” will typically provide more unbiased information, but always cross-reference with other websites to widen your breadth of knowledge.
For example, a website to cross-reference with is the Federal Election Commission website. The FEC provides information regarding campaign finances, which can help a prospective voter learn about how a candidate chooses to spend their money.
You can also choose to look at a sample ballot to see what you need to inform yourself about before voting. Kentucky’s sample ballot can be found here.
- Gather proper identification
Before voting, you need to make sure you have the proper identification. When you leave your home on the day of voting, check that you bring some sort of identification with you. Examples of identification can include driver’s licenses, military identification or university IDs. However, before voting, check voter ID laws for the state you are voting in. Kentucky’s complete list of acceptable identification can be found here.
- Finding Voting Locations
Kentucky provides a list of polling locations based on county, including absentee voting days and locations. Additionally, you must remember — when it comes to voting, you need to vote in the county of your residence, unless you are using a mailed absentee ballot.
For example, one of the closest voting locations to WKU would be Warren Central High School. It is roughly a five minute drive from campus.
If you cannot head to the official voting location for your area, you can cast an absentee ballot. After signing up to participate in absentee voting, the election office will send a ballot in the mail for you to fill out and return. The county clerk must receive mail-in ballots by Nov. 5 at 6 p.m local time.
In addition, if you are unable to vote on election day, you can register to vote early on specific in-person absentee days. In Kentucky, these days are Oct. 23 through Oct. 30 for excused absentees and Oct. 31 through Nov. 2 for unexcused absentees. You can visit the National Association of Secretaries of State’s website to find out if you are eligible for an absentee ballot or early voting and begin the registration process for it.
- Vote!
You’ve done all the hard work and made it to the polling location. In most cases, modern voting locations use machines to vote. When you walk into a polling location, poll workers will guide you into a private area and allow you to exercise your right to vote.
Now, you are officially ready to be an informed voter and use your voice to advocate for the change you want to see in the United States.
