Voter Registration 101

Pre-Registration

An election procedure that allows individuals younger than 18 years of age to register to vote, so they are eligible to cast a ballot when they reach 18, the voting age for all state and federal elections. 13 states + DC permit this beginning at 16 years old, 4 states permit this beginning at 17 years old, and 5 states set another age at which an individual may pre-register.

Midterm Election

Held on November 6th, 2018, these elections are the general elections held near the midpoint of a president's four-year term of office. The U.S. House of Representatives elections, 33 U.S Senate elections, 39 gubernatorial elections, and many other state and local elections will also be held on this date.

Primaries

In many states, 17 year-olds can vote in the ____ as long as they will be 18 by the general election. From March until November, every state will have a primary election this year leading up to the general election on November 6th. In 75% of all elections, the outcome is determined in the first round of voting—the____. _____ have been shown to strengthen the competitiveness of political parties by expanding their constituent base to a more representative group of citizens

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to vote, you must be a United States citizen and at least 18 years of age before election day on November 6th, 2018. In states such as California, you can pre-register to vote before you turn 18.

How To Register

It's as easy as going online to https://vote.dosomething.org/quizlet

Other Ways To Get Involved

The US Constitution ensures equal representation for ALL individuals living in the US, regardless of income, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, or immigration status. Non-citizens and people under 18 have the right to have their voices heard by their representatives in Congress, even if they lack the right to vote in elections. Calling your elected official's office is a quick and impactful way to make your voice heard. The number of calls and voicemails constituents make is tallied and given to elected officials regularly. Staffers at all levels of government agree: the more calls, the more likely your rep is to make their stance known.

Non-Partisan Primary

The purpose of these is to narrow the field of candidates for a race. These primaries are top-two, meaning that the two candidates who received the most votes progress to the general election. You can vote in this if you are not registered with a political party.

Partisan Primary

They determine the nominees for political parties in preparation for a general election. These primaries come in a few varieties: open, closed, semi-closed. Essentially the type of primary determines whether people who have not declared a party may vote. You can not vote in this if you are not registered with a political party

Required Identification

To register to vote, you will need (1) an address from which you plan to vote, and (2) an ID number - either a current and valid driver's license or the last 4 digits of your social security number. Some states (specifically Arizona, Kansas, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Vermont) may require additional documents or information.

Voter Turnout

Young people who are registered to vote turn out in high numbers. In the 2008 election, 84% of those youth 18-29 who were registered to vote actually cast a ballot. Over 69 million young people are eligible to vote in 2018. Your generation has the power to decide this election.