Your vote is powerful. Voting isn’t just a civic duty, or some tedious ritual engaged in every-so-often. Through voting, we determine our futures and empower our communities.
From reproductive rights to racial justice to the climate crisis, everything is at stake this election. The outcome will determine whether the communities Planned Parenthood serves have access to expert, affordable sexual and reproductive health care. The best way to protect this access is to get people to the polls and get out the vote!
What follows is a handy guide to give you the information you need to register to vote, complete an application to vote by mail, and submit your ballot.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and neighbors. We can empower and strengthen our communities by registering people to vote and supporting them to make their voices heard through the ballot box.
EARLY VOTING
Let’s talk about early voting, also known as vote by mail. Because of COVID-19, there is a lot of interest in early voting as a safer alternative to voting in person.
This year, the Nebraska Secretary of State is sending out early ballot applications to every registered voter.
Once you have physically signed the application, return it to your county election official by mail, fax, or email.
You also have the option to vote early in person at your county election office from October 5 until November 2.
HOW TO VOTE EARLY
1. REGISTER TO VOTE OR UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION BY OCTOBER 23
If you don’t know if you’re registered, have moved recently, want to change parties, or even just want to make sure everything is copacetic, you can check and update your voter registration status here.
In order to register:
- You must be 18 years or older (if you turn 18 on or before November 3, you can still register to vote in the 2020 election).
- You will need either a Social Security Number or driver’s license/state identification.
2. FILL OUT YOUR VOTE-BY-MAIL APPLICATION AND SEND IT IN ASAP
Step two is easy! The Secretary of State is sending out early ballot applications to all registered voters, so if you confirmed your registration, you can wait until you receive your application, or download one here. Sign your application and send it back, and either wait to receive your vote by mail ballot or vote early in person.
3. FILL OUT YOUR BALLOT
This is the fun part: voting! Voting is our opportunity to be heard. Every vote counts, and as tempting as it can be to surrender to cynicism, the truth is that even one vote can decide an election. (Side note: don’t sleep on your local races. They make all the difference.)
4. RETURN YOU BALLOT
Ballots received via mail will come with instructions on how to cast a vote and a return envelope. Once you’ve filled out your ballot, place it in the return envelope and mail it back to the county election office or place it in an official ballot drop box—they are located outside of courthouses and election commission offices.
- Douglas County drop box locations
- Sarpy County drop box locations
- Lancaster County has a drop box at their main office (601 N 46th Street in Lincoln) and one at every public library
IMPORTANT VOTING DEADLINES
Here are key dates to keep in mind as Election Day nears.
- October 5: Early voting begins. If you have already submitted your application and received your ballot, this is the earliest it can be turned in in-person to your county election office.
- October 16: The last day to register to vote online or by mail.
- October 23: The last day to register in person and the deadline to request an early ballot be mailed to you.
- November 2: The last day you can vote early in person at the county election office.
- November 3: Election Day! Mail-in ballots must be received by the county election office by the close of polls.
Remember, your vote counts. By voting, we decide our futures and empower our communities.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT US
Jon Marx, Advocacy Strategist - NE 3rd Congressional District
[email protected] | 402-705-6365
Claire Wiebe, Advocacy Manager - Nebraska
[email protected] | 402-557-6683
Tags: