US Vote Blog

Election season is underway! And the November Presidential Election will be here before you know it.  Many voted using a vote-by-mail ballot over the last couple elections due to the pandemic, but in-person voting remains an important option for upcoming elections this year. Many states expanded in-person voting options for 2024 and beyond.

Whether you vote in-person during your state’s early voting period or on Election Day - Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, it’s important to get informed about your rights and responsibilities well before the big day. Voters in most states also have the option of voting by absentee or mail-in ballot.

We’re in the thick of the 2024 election season! That’s when you get the chance to cast your ballot for President, Vice President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and countless state and local level offices and ballot measures - this November 5, 2024.

Voting requires forethought and planning, and for justice-impacted voters, it may require even more planning. If you have been convicted of a crime, or you are or were recently incarcerated, then you’ll need to do some extra research before registering to vote and casting a ballot following the restoration of your civil rights.

If you’re like most Americans, you’re seriously considering voting by absentee ballot.

Absentee voting, whether you live in the U.S. or are one of the millions of overseas voters, offers you the convenience of selecting candidates for office at the time of your choosing: after work, around the table with your family, or from your couch. No need to wait in line, and no time limits (as you might experience on Election Day or during early voting) as long as you mail in or place your voted ballot in a drop box by the deadline.

But then - you may wonder, "where's my ballot"? Almost all states have some form of ballot tracking. There are a couple that don’t have state-wide ballot tracking, but they may still offer ballot tracking at the county level. 

U.S. Vote Foundation is proud to support young civic developers to bring their unique development ideas forward. Poliquicks is an exemplary member of our 2024 U.S. Vote Foundation Civic Data - Young Developer Sponsorship Program. The new Poliquicks app is now available – just in time to help you cast your 2024 ballot!

Poliquicks was born out of the growing need for transparency and simplicity in political education. The app’s primary goal is to demystify the political process, breaking down complex topics into bite-sized, easy-to-understand pieces. Whether you're a first-time voter or a seasoned political enthusiast, Poliquicks ensures you’re informed and equipped with nonpartisan facts that can help you engage more confidently in the democratic process.

US.VOTE’s new interactive how-to-vote tool, the Voter Journey Map (VJM), is popular with students. Educators and parents are embracing the downloadable instructional guide to teach teenagers about American democracy. High school social studies students are taught that they should vote. But are they taught how to vote?

US.VOTE has created a companion downloadable Voter Journey Map instructional guide for government, politics, and civics courses to use in the classroom or as a homework assignment.

Registering from one’s home address may be simple for those who don’t move around much. But for those Americans who relocate regularly – roughly 10% of the country moves each year – preparing to vote can feel a little trickier.

Where do you vote if you just moved? If you have two homes, from which one do you register? What if you live abroad, or in a different state, as a military member or ex-pat? Or maybe you’re a student studying outside your home state? Even homeless? We talk you through it in this blog.

October 29, 2024 is National Vote Early Day for the 2024 Presidential General Election. Voters are encouraged to cast their ballots on or around this date if their state offers an early voting period for the 2024 election.

“Early voting” is a form of voting in which all eligible voters of a state have the chance to cast ballots before Election Day without needing an excuse or a ballot application. Usually this is over the course of several days or weeks, but it can vary by state.

Voting early in-person can be just like voting on Election Day. The only difference may be the voter’s polling location in some states.

Voting terminology and rules can be confusing, so we’ve broken them down for you with our 411 on election information – everything from registration to the ballot box.

It’s voting season! And for most elections, you’ve likely got multiple options on how to cast your ballot, wherever you live. Some states, like Colorado, offer every option under the sun on how to cast a ballot: in-person on Election Day, early voting and registration at vote centers, and vote by mail ballots sent to all registered voters. It’s a voter’s dream come true! Other states are more limited in their offerings. That’s why it’s essential to find out what your state offers.

Presidential debates have become an integral part of the political tradition of the presidential election season in the United States of America and play an important role in the decision-making process for some voters.

But have you ever wondered why the debates are so important and how they came about? What’s the purpose of the debates, and what’s their history?

As always, U.S. Vote Foundation has got you covered: we have an important historical background, interesting facts, and relevant information for you. Read more!