Queer the Vote: Voter Guide

• You should start planning to vote about 2 months beforehand, even if this is just making a few notes or writing it in your calendar! This guide will help you prepare to vote and provide information when doing so.
• You MUST register to vote. Most states require you to register around 20-30 days before Election Day. You can check your registration at vote.gov/register.
• If you’re planning to vote in person, make sure you check with your employer about time off to vote. Many states have their own laws regarding time off on Election Day, check your state laws at vote411.org.

• Researching your ballot is another way that you can plan for an election. This includes research candidates, reading policy proposals, and evaluating which candidates most support your values.
• To view YOUR sample ballot, visit Ballotpedia. Just put your mailing address into the search bar and it will show you all the races (and candidates) that will be on your ballot in the upcoming election.

• Voting allows individuals to actively participate in shaping their communities and societies. By casting a vote, you make your voice heard on issues that impact vulnerable communities, ensuring your concerns are addressed and rights are protected. It’s a crucial way to advocate for policies that promote equality and social justice, safeguarding the interests of those who may otherwise be overlooked or marginalized.
• Voting in one strategy to ensure we continue fighting for and advancing democracy. Our work starts after election day through organizing our community, educating ourselves, and working with elected officials so they fulfill their promises to us while they are in office.
• Ultimately, voting empowers individuals to contribute to a fair and inclusive society, so make your plan to vote TODAY!

• Here are some examples: (images)
• Ballotpedia also has state-specific voter information that you can visit at: ballotpedia.org

In-Person

• Look up your voting location at vote.org where you can find personalized information about what’s on the ballot, polling locations, and drop-box locations.
• There are 2 main methods of voting in-person, paper and electronic. These are not the only methods, but they are commonly used. Research your polling location to find out if they will be using a different method.

Absentee

• This is good option if you cannot make it to the polls day-of and you know in advance that you won’t make it.
• Some states require an excuse to receive absentee ballots such as injury/illness, disability, being a university student out-of-state, etc. To find out your state’s absentee rules, request it at vote411.org

Mail-In

• Some states offer entirely vote-by-mail options in addition to in-person voting at the polls. This typically does not require an advanced request and is mailed to each voter registered. To check if your county offers this, visit ncsl.org

(Not all may be necessary, but to err on the side of caution, they’re good to have in hand)

Voter Registration Card

• When you register to vote, you should receive a registration card in the mail. If you haven’t received or need to replace one, contact your local election office. You can find the contact information at usvotefoundation.org

Sample Voting Ballot

• It can be helpful to have your research on hand, especially when trying to remember names and positions up for election. To create your sample ballot, visit ballotpedia.org

State ID/Driver’s License

• Many states have different rules about what an acceptable form of identification is. Somes states don’t require an ID at all!
• Our recommendation is to have your ID/Driver’s License with you just in case, to avoid any potential issues.
• Check the chart at ncsl.org to see if this applies to you.

Consider bringing this guide with you when you hit the polls! It has a lot of useful information on your rights while you’re there, a glossary of terms, and more.

If this is your first time voting in-person, you may want to bring an official piece of mail with your name and address. Like the ID regulations, this is on a state-by-state basis so check vote.org to see if this applies.

You can vote, regardless of your gender expression or if it matches your gender markings on your identification.

• Many states have requirements for a photo ID. With higher restrictions on IDs over the last few years, make sure that the name and address on your ID matches the information on your voter registration.

Many GNC individuals prefer to explore alternative voting options that don’t require in-person identification. Refer back to Page 1 if you’d like to vote-by-mail!

To find more information about your legal rights, please visit

• Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund
• Lambda Legal

Even if your state doesn’t require an ID at present, these laws change a lot. The strictest ID regulations include an unexpired form of picture identification. This is usually in the form of a Driver’s License, but you can bring a state ID, a passport, a student ID, a military ID, or a voter verification card. We recommend bringing a valid form of picture ID in case your state’s voter ID regulations have changed.

• If polls close while you’re in line – stay in line, you have the right to vote.
• If you need a new ballot due to a mistake, ask for a new one.
• If there is an issue with the electronic machine, ask for a paper ballot.
• If your name is not listed at the polls, ask for a provisional ballot. Election officials will check your registration afterwards and count your ballot if you are indeed registered.
• For federal elections, every polling location must be accessible for disabled and elderly voters according to ADA regulations.
• If these rights are being violated, or you are refused at the polls, call the Election Protection hotline 888-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) for assistance.

Reasons to request a provisional ballot

• If you arrive at the wrong voting location
• If you arrive at the wrong polling location, you have the option to travel to the correct location instead of getting a provisional ballot
• Your voter registration is not up to date with your address
• Your name does not appear on the Election Day list
• Insufficient identification

Each provisional ballot should have a Provisional Identification Number. Note this and you should be able to track if your ballot was counted.

• If you had an issue with identification, you will typically have about 7-10 days after Election Day to provide the proper identification to your county board of elections.

• Do you have a disability? You have the right to accessible voting!
• You have the right to receive assistance from the person of your choice except for your employer or a union representative.
• All polling locations must be accessible for people with disabilities including ramps, registration forms in Braille, assisted listening devices, etc.
• You are allowed to ask for more time to vote.
• You have the right to be shown how to use a voting machine.
• You have the right to ask to use an accessible voting machine. Every polling location should have at least 1 accessible machine.
• Election officials should grant reasonable accommodations if they can, such as providing a chair if lines are long, explaining how to submit your vote, unblocking a pathway, etc.
• Election officials, including poll workers, are not allowed to determine mental or physical capacity to vote.
• If a polling location does not meet ADA regulations, please visit ada.gov or call their toll-free number 800-253-3931.

You can bring someone to help interpret for you if they are not your employer or union representative.

You’re allowed to ask questions and ask for plain terminology from election officials. They should make every effort to communicate with you.

Hotlines in other languages

• Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA888-839-8682
• Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE888-274-8683
• Arabic: 844-YALLA-US844-925-5287

Voter intimidation is when someone attempts to scare, coerce, or threaten someone into not voting, or change their voting choices. These tactics can include verbal or physical harassment and voter intimidation is illegal under federal law. However, these tactics can be very broad, so it’s best to stay informed about what it looks like and how to combat it.

Here are some examples, but there are many other ways that someone may try to influence your vote.

• Someone repeatedly questions your citizenship status or criminal record despite being registered to vote.
• Someone lies to you about being an election official. This may be hard to spot, but they should be identified with an official badge or ID.
• If someone tries to test your English proficiency before allowing you to vote. There are NO English literacy requirements to vote.
• Someone invades your personal space or attempts to see your ballot while voting.
• Someone tries to tell you who to vote for, or pressures you to vote for a specific party/candidate while in line.
• Someone tries to tell you who to vote for, or pressures you to vote for a specific party/candidate while in line.

• To report instances of voter harassment, call the Election Protection Hotline. You can also report these to local and state officials, which includes on-site poll workers.
• Voting in groups is a simple way to combat voter harassment! We are stronger together!
• Know your rights- it is ILLEGAL to intimidate voters.

For more information, please visit the following resources

• Campaign Legal Center
• Brennan Center for Justice

• Offer to research ballot information with your friends and family who are eligible. Research candidates together and engage in conversation about what policies they support.
• Offer to drive folks if you’re able. Many eligible voters don’t vote simply because they are unable to get a ride, or the polling location is too far. Offering to carpool people to the polls can lift off a heavy burden at times.

Stay informed about elections and politics. Voting is only one of many ways to make your voice heard. By staying informed and engaging in other activist efforts, you are still able to ensure your community is represented.

Stay informed about voter disenfranchisement & the process of restoring your vote!

For more information, please visit these resources

• Southern Coalition for Social Justice
• American Civil Liberties Union