Election Day, November 6, is right around the corner. Many of us already have our voting plans set, but low income people face many challenges in getting to the polls to vote, including inflexible work schedules, childcare requirements, and transportation issues. Two solutions: early and absentee voting. Learn more about early and absentee voting at NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes website and the National Council of State Legislatures’ up-to-date state-by-state guide to absentee and early voting.
Absentee ballots can be requested by residents who are unable to get to the polls on Election Day in every state. In some states, there is no reason required for absentee voting, and voters have the option to vote by absentee ballot or to vote before Election Day. Providing information about early and absentee voting to the low income individuals you serve is a great way to help increase voter turnout. NLIHC’s Our Homes, Our Votes project has a fillable checklist to help you plan your work around absentee and early voting.
Your local Board of Elections can provide detailed information on laws in your state. For early voting, consider holding ballot parties where voters gather to vote as a group, perhaps after a discussion of affordable housing issues. Where it is allowed, you might want to send volunteers to gather early voting ballots and submit them to your local clerk’s office.
Our Homes, Our Votes has many resources on nonpartisan voter mobilization and “get-out-the-vote” activities. Make your plan today!