US Vote Blog

Ever wonder what those long-winded, confusing questions are at the end of your ballot? How were they formed, and how did they actually get to be on the ballot?

These questions are called "ballot measures:. They may also referred to as initiatives or referendums, and they are a mechanism that allows for citizens to weigh in and decide policy issues. Ballot measures typically deal with policies that affect our daily lives. Before you head out to your polling place this year, or return your mail-in ballot, be sure to review your sample ballot to be aware of any ballot measures ahead of time.

Our first "Election Reading List" book review examines James David Barber's book, The Presidential Character: Predicting Performance in the White House. Barber's question in the book is, "What qualities should we look for in a President?" Barber's answer is simple: character, presidential style, and worldview.

Barber outlines the four types of Presidential character by which voters can evaluate candidates.

Every Election Year, you have the opportunity to vote in both primary elections to choose your party's nominees, and then the general election in November. This 2024 election season is like no other with more excitement and anticipation to vote than ever before. Choosing how you cast your ballot is a personal choice, and the options are many.

Many voters prefer to vote in-person. They enjoy the feeling of walking into a polling place, physically submitting or scanning a ballot, and getting an “I Voted!” sticker, which you can be proud to wear.

For voters who wish to vote in person, here's a list of what to expect at the polling place.

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.