Election Day is today — and every single day through Tuesday, November 3.
If this election feels personal, it’s because it is. Our ability to control our health, our bodies, and our future is at stake. Access to safe, legal abortion is at stake. Access to affordable, quality health coverage that covers essential reproductive health care and pre-existing conditions is at stake. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to inflame the United States, claiming lives daily, our very lives are at stake.
If you’re able to vote, this is the time to show that nothing — not even this pandemic or voter suppression — will stand in your way.
The United States has always held elections and upheld the results, even in times of great crisis. We held successful presidential elections amid the Civil War, the Great Depression, and both world wars. More than ever before in our lives, it’s important to turn out in record numbers and make sure our votes are counted in this election.
But the next steps are key — and all of us have a part to play. Here’s what we all need to do before polls close on November 3:
1. Vote
First, make a plan. Do you know exactly how you’re voting? Or what your voting options are in your state? Find your state and make your plan to vote.
Be sure to bring a mask — expect a wait and bring a snack! Also, save the Election Protection hotline number in your phone — it’s 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) — to report any problem you encounter with the voting process.
If you can, vote early. Only days remain to cast a vote in this election. Vote.org can show you when early voting ends in your state — just check this chart. If you do vote early, try to track your ballot and make sure it was received.
Also: If you have a mail-in ballot but haven’t returned it, deliver it by hand or vote in person. Do not place it in the mail. Taking your ballot to an elections office or official drop box — or visiting a polling place early or on Election Day — is now the best way to make sure your vote is counted. If you need to find a drop-off or polling location, iwillvote.com has you covered.
2. Volunteer!
As this election season draws to a close, join the #WeDecide Action Fund Members’ Weekend of Action and volunteer to text or make calls to elect reproductive health care champions up and down the ballot. Don’t wait: sign up now!
Other Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations are working through when polls close on Nov. 3 to get out the vote. Join those efforts here — and make sure to invite friends to join you.
3. Watch for Official Results
Every vote counts — that means this election is not over until officials can count every vote. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, historic numbers of Americans are choosing to vote by absentee and mail-in ballots. That means that in many states, results may take several days to count.
But remember: all over the country, people are determined to make sure that WE decide who our leaders are — no matter how long it may take to count all the votes.
Want to know more about what to expect? Read our primer on this unprecedented vote count.
As of Friday, Oct. 29, more than 81 million voters have cast their ballots — and they’re voting for candidates who will protect reproductive rights and expand health care coverage.
We will rise to this challenge. The hope, the answer, the choice is in all of us — because together, in this election, WE decide our futures.
It’s Our Turn.
Let’s prove that nothing — not even this pandemic or voter suppression — will stand in our way of voting if we are able to vote.
Find your polling place now through Vote.org.
Tags:
Is Abortion Still Legal in My State?
Learn about abortion access changes in your state.
Demand court reform now!
To protect and advance our rights, we must reclaim our federal courts.
Structural, systemic, and meaningful court reform is the only way to ensure that courts uphold the law and protect our rights.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund Will NEVER Back Down
Know this: our right to abortion is not debatable. We will rebuild and reclaim the freedom that is ours.