There are only 50 days until the election! Mail-in voting has started or is about to start in some states, and in-person early voting will begin shortly. In advance of one of the most consequential elections in our history, here’s what LGBTQ parents and others should be doing now.
- Make sure you are registered to vote. Use this tool from Pride to the Polls to check. By doing so, you’ll also see deadlines for registration, requesting an absentee ballot, voting early, and more. The site also answers frequently asked questions such as “What if the gender marker and/or picture on my ID is different from my current presentation?”
- If you can vote early in your state, make a plan to do so. That way, it fits your schedule and you can avoid any lines or emergencies (such as a kid getting sick, a crisis at work, or getting stuck in traffic) on Election Day.
- If you need an absentee ballot, request it now. The Pride to the Polls tool will give you a link to your state information.
- If you have kids over 18, remind them to vote, too. Make sure they’re registered, especially if they’re young people who have recently moved, and make sure they’re registered for absentee ballots if they’re in college out of state.
- Remind them again. (Because parenting involves repetition.)
- Review the ballot for your state. Sure, you probably know the presidential candidates, but the down-ballot races and ballot questions, if any, are important, too. You may want some time to look into them if you’re not already familiar.
- If you plan to wait until Election Day (Tuesday, November 5), prepare in advance. Look up your polling place. Note its hours and what ID, if any, you need to bring. Figure out how you’re going to get there and at what time. Put it on your calendar. (Note that Lyft is offering free or discounted rides to the polls on Election Day; Uber has in the past, but has not yet announced plans for 2024.)
- Plan ahead for childcare coverage if you need it. Consider coordinating with another parent to alternate voting and watching the kids. Alternatively, plan to take your kid(s) to the polls to show them how participatory democracy works. Bring snacks and games in case you get stuck in line.
- Ask friends, relatives, and neighbors when they plan to vote. Offer to help them get there—or ask for help yourself, if needed. And even if you and those you know don’t need help, planning to go together may motivate you all.
- Continue speaking with friends, relatives, and neighbors about why the election matters to you and your family. Sometimes these personal reasons can make a difference if someone is on the fence about a candidate or issue.
If you have further questions about voting, your rights, accommodations at the polls, or more, Pride to the Polls, Vote.org, and Vote.gov have many answers.
