By Madison Wilson, Contributing Writer
In the United States, there are many ways you can exercise your right to vote, different voting laws for each state, and different voting times and locations.
These different ways include absentee voting or voting by mail, early voting, voting on Election Day, and vote centers.
Voting on Election Day:
If you are available on Election Day and decide you want to vote in person, there are some things you must keep in mind.
Firstly, you must know which polling place you will be going to. Polling places are the sites that are set up specifically for voting. They are most likely to be located in schools, churches, libraries, or other public buildings.
To find your polling place, check the address on your voter’s card or check with your supervisor of elections to find out where your polling place is located.
Depending on which state you are in, the poll times vary. Therefore, it is also important to know when your poll is opening and closing.
“I voted in person and the experience was quick and easy, everyone was very helpful and nice,” said Cierra Acker, a freshman majoring in elementary education.
Early Voting:
If you are not available on Election Day but you still want to vote, another option to consider is in-person voting through early voting. Not every state will allow it, but most do. The states that do not allow in-person early voting include Alabama, Connecticut, Mississippi, and New Hampshire. They may offer early voting only for eligible absentee voters.
The time for early voting will vary with each different state. Early voting can begin up to 55 days before the election or the Friday before Election Day. As expected, early voting will end a few days before Election Day.
Absentee Ballots/Voting by Mail:
Absentee voting, also known as voting by mail, is another way you can vote if you will not be available on Election Day.
Not just anyone can use absentee ballots. You must have a valid reason and every state has different rules about absentee ballots.
One of the main and most valid reasons would be that you would be absent from your state on Election Day.
“I used mail-in voting, and it was quick and easy,” said Ashley Tucker, a junior majoring in criminal justice.
Vote Centers:
Sometimes voters prefer to vote on the go, where they can get it done in a quick and efficient way.
Vote centers are similar to polling places, but are not located in public buildings like schools, libraries, and churches. Vote centers are located in supermarkets like Walmart and Costco.
Vote centers may be seen as more convenient places for people, mainly because of extended hours and flexible parking. Not every state allows vote centers, however, so it is important to check if your state supports vote centers.
Registering to Vote:
Most states will require you to register before voting. To register to vote, you can visit your local election office, register by mail, or register online at https://vote.gov/.
In-person registrations usually involve you having some form of identification to ensure that you are who you say you are, as well as information to confirm the state that you are living and voting in.
The deadline for registration will vary in each state. Most deadlines will be in early to mid-October, but it all depends on your state. You can visit usvotefoundation.org for state-specific deadlines.
Voting Laws in Different States:
While voting is the common denominator on Election Days, the way in which it is done varies from state to state. Before voting or registering to vote, it is always important to know the specific voting laws of your state.
If you fail to take this into consideration, you can possibly miss an important deadline, causing you to be excluded from voting
Most of the information regarding the voting process in the state where you reside and should vote in is usually posted on a government site.
Keep in mind that voting is a right and not a law. While you are encouraged to vote, it is not mandatory.
Voting in the State of Florida:
Saint Leo University’s University Campus is based in Pasco County in the State of Florida. For this reason, here are some important voting deadlines in Florida.
The Florida State General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8. The deadline for new voter registration is Tuesday, October 11, at 7:00pm.
If you decide you want to do absentee voting, there is an absentee ballot request deadline. Post must be received by Saturday, October 29 at 5:00pm. Mail ballots must be picked up from the election office by Tuesday, November 8. The absentee ballot return deadline is Tuesday, November 8, at 7:00pm.
There is also early voting available for the Florida election. These dates are Saturday, October 29, through Saturday, November 5. However, these dates can vary by county, so you may have to contact the local election office.
To find more information on voting, you can visit the official website of the United States government at https://www.usa.gov/election-office.
