WHY TO VOTE

Let’s be realistic… voting is rarely exciting. Sometimes, it’s even infuriating. Our elected leaders rarely take the voices of our generation into account, and as a result, they frequently fail to address the problems we face in our everyday lives. Or maybe you’re just pissed at the options we have this time around… WE TOTALLY UNDERSTAND!

However, our votes matter regardless of whether or not we cast a ballot because candidates pay attention to who isn’t voting. When we don’t vote, we become a data point that lets the next candidate justify not speaking to our generation. It’s time for this to end.

HOW TO VOTE

  1. Make sure you’re registered to vote. Check your registration here.

    If you aren’t registered, you can pre-register online up to 21 days before Election Day. If it is less than 21 days before Election Day, bring a valid form of ID to your early polling place before Election Day or to your polling place on Election Day to register when you vote.

  2. Find your polling place. Check where you can vote on Election Day here.

    If you are busy on Election Day (or just super excited to vote), you can vote early in person on your time instead. Find your EARLY voting location here.

  3. Check out your sample ballot so you know what you will be voting on.

  4. Cast your vote!

    Know you’re going to be busy or out of town on election day? You can vote by mail (aka. vote absentee) or vote early in person. This is true for any election - Presidential or state, primary or general!

FAQs

  • Probably not! You do not need to show an ID to vote in Minnesota if your voter registration is current. (Check here!) If your voter registration is not up to date or you haven’t voted in 4+ years, you need to bring an ID and/or documents proving your identity and address. You can find acceptable IDs here!

  • This is your decision! Some things to consider are 1) where do you consider home, 2) where would you like to have a say in politics, and 3) where is most convenient for you to vote. Just be sure you leave yourself plenty of time to register and vote because voting laws are different in every state. Learn more here.

  • Great question! This all depends on your values and the issues important to you. Make a list of the things you care about, and then spend time researching the candidates and questions on your ballot. (Learn what’s on your ballot here) Some good resources include a candidate’s website and social media accounts, endorsements, professional background and experience, and reports from new unbiased outlets/leaders you trust.

  • If you’re too busy to vote on Election Day, try to vote early! This means going on your schedule in the weeks before Election Day. Learn how here. You are also entitled to time off of work to vote. Learn your rights here.

  • If you’re traveling on Election Day, try to vote early! This means going on your schedule in the weeks before Election Day. Learn how here. You can also order a mail in ballot to wherever you are located. Learn how here.

  • Your ballot will not be counted if it is received after Election Day.

    However, you can return your ballot in person before 8 p.m. on Election Day to the election office that sent your ballot. Some voters may also return it in one of the designated ballot drop box locations. You may not drop your ballot off at your polling place on election day.

  • In Minnesota, a witness is required to submit an absentee ballot. Any registered voter in Minnesota can act as a witness.

    The witness must 1) show the voter their blank ballot before filling it out, 2) complete the witness section on the ballot return signature envelope, and 3) sign the signature envelope and list their address 

    Other witnesses options include:

    • College Registrar

    • County, City, or Town Clerk

    • Judicial Officer

    • Notary Public

HOW TO’s

How to Vote While Homeless

How to Pre-Register as a 16/17 year old

How to Become an Election Judge

How to Vote as a College Student

How to Contact Your Elected Leaders

Know Your Voting Rights!

How to Vote as a Student Abroad

How to Host a Voter Registration Drive

File to Run for Elected Office!

HOW TO ORGANIZE

Voting alone is not enough. We also have to take intentional, collective action - and this is hard to do! Check out some of the resources that inspire and inform Believe In What’s Possible community members as we organize for a better world.

Podcasts:

  • “A master class in organizing” - The Grey Area with Sean Illing

Books:

  • “Parable of the Sower” by Octavia E. Butler

  • “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” by Paulo Freire

  • “All About Love” by bell hooks

  • “The Revolution Will Not Be Funded” by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence

  • “No Shortcuts: Organizing for Power in the New Gilded Age” by Jane McAlevey

  • “Y’all Tryna Win or Nah” by Youth United for Change

  • “You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train” by Howard Zinn

Artwork & Music:

  • “Untitled” by Jean Mischel-Basquiat

  • “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” by Lauryn Hill

  • “Dirty Computer” by Janelle Monáe

  • “Sundial” by Noname