Election Day—Tuesday, November 5th—is just around the corner. But in-person voting doesn’t only happen on Election Day. In fact, an increasing number of election officials and political campaigns around the country are treating November 5th as the last day to vote. In many states, it is possible to use the next week to vote in person on your own, best schedule.
Today is National Vote Early Day. HSLF has partnered with hundreds of organizations across the country to share state-specific rules and resources for those seeking to cast a vote before November 5th. There aren’t just big fights ahead for animal protection—they’re happening right now, and we all have a role to play to elect the compassionate, courageous lawmakers we need in office.
A growing number of states have expanded opportunities for voting early in person, by mail, or by dropping off your ballot. Forty-six states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands allow early in-person voting, to even out the flow of voter traffic, increase access, and better align the voting process with Americans’ busy schedules.
If you have elected to vote in person and not by mail, we invite you to explore in-person voting options from now through November 5th, to ensure that your voice as an animal advocate is heard. The candidates who win their races will go on to make choices—every day—which will determine the fate and even the very lives of countless animals. If we want lawmakers whose decisions reflect our values and convictions, now is the time to make our own decisions at the ballot box.
If you are not already mailing in a ballot, ways to vote early in person include dropping off a ballot at an election office, using an alternative ballot drop box, or heading to a designated local election office to cast a ballot there. The rules for voting early vary by state, by community, and in some cases by a voter’s unique circumstances—so again, we encourage you to look into the schedules, requirements, and details that apply to you.
As you make your voting plan, there are several other factors to keep in mind. First, voters may need to confirm their identity with an ID when voting in person. The type of ID required varies by state, so be sure to look this piece up beforehand. If you don’t meet the ID requirements of your state, you may need to cast what is known as a “provisional ballot,” but if so, you may be asked to take additional steps for it to count.
In many locations, it is possible to request a ride to the polls. And if you encounter an issue while voting or are prevented from doing so at an election office, “Election Protection Hotlines” in multiple languages are available to help you find the answers you need.
There are four states—Alabama, Delaware, Mississippi and New Hampshire—that do not offer in-person voting prior to November 5th. In these states, voters should plan ahead to ensure a smooth trip to vote on Election Day. If you haven’t already done so, we also encourage you to confirm that your voter registration status is active, and to look up your polling place.
Nearly everyone understands that voter participation is critical to our democratic government. But for animal advocates, on whom the fate of animals depends, there is an additional and compelling motivation. The candidates we elect this year, and every year, will decide whether or not to protect our threatened and endangered species, to help animals used in research, testing and education, to crack down on the abuses at puppy mills, and much more. It is their humane values and convictions that will lead us to a better tomorrow, or their silence or indifference that will enable special interests and industries to continue profiting from the mistreatment and abuse of animals. HSLF’s endorsements of candidates ready to take a stand for animals can always be viewed, and shared, by visiting hslf.org/endorsements.
When we vote on our own schedules, equipped with the facts and resources to help us along the way, together we can powerfully represent the cause of animal protection in this momentous election. Join us in spreading the word about National Vote Early Day, by encouraging others to use this vital information on when, where, and how to cast your ballot for the compassionate, courageous lawmakers that we need. And that the animals deserve.
