Are You Registered to Vote and Ready for November 3rd?
October 2, 2009
While it may be an "off year" for most elections, the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community has quite a bit at stake in a number of states. The campaign to defend marriage equality in Maine is the VIP guest at this year’s election party, but there are also a number of other very important states and races to watch. HRC has been hard at work this cycle, and in many cases we’ve had staffers on the ground for months. All of our work won’t do much good, however, if our supporters aren’t registered to vote and turn out on November 3rd. With all this in mind, I thought I’d pass along a reminder that if you aren’t already registered, or are unsure of where you’re registered, you have a very small window of time to get your affairs in order. Make sure you’re registered to vote and ready for November 3rd – and then make sure all of your friends, family and colleagues are as well!
- MAINE – Defending Marriage Equality
In Maine, eligible citizens may register to vote anytime – including the day of the election! The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 13th, and early voting starts October 15th. To request an absentee ballot, click here. To vote early, just stop by your local town hall starting October 15th. Hours may vary, so to look up specific locations and hours, click here.
- WASHINGTON – Preserve The Domestic Partnership Law
38 out of 39 counties in Washington vote by mail (Pierce County is the exception, and they still maintain polling locations). This means that if you’re registered to vote you’ll receive a ballot in the mail at least 18 days before the election. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day. Click here for more information on voting in Pierce County. Click here to check on your voter registration status. Not registered? You can either apply online by clicking here or you can download and mail in a paper application by clicking here [pdf]. The deadline to apply via mail or online is October 5th.
- KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN– Defending The Inclusive Non-Discrimination Ordinance
To check whether or not you’re registered at your current address, click here. Not registered? Click here [pdf] to download the form that must be in by October 5th. Click here [pdf] to download an absentee ballot. You have until 8pm on Election Day to turn your absentee ballot in to the local clerk’s office.
- NEW JERSEY– Re-Electing Governor Jon Corzine, A Strong Supporter of Marriage Equality and other fair-minded leaders
The last day to register to vote in New Jersey is October 13th. Click here to download the form and for more information. Also, a voter may apply for a mail-in ballot by completing an Mail-In Ballot Application and mailing the application to their County Clerk by mail up to 7 days prior to the election. A voter may also apply in person to the County Clerk until 3:00 p.m., the day before the election. The county clerk cannot accept faxed copies of an Mail-In Ballot Application since an original signature is required.
- VIRGINIA– Electing Fair-Minded Legislators
In the Old Dominion your registration application must be received in person, or postmarked, by October 5th. Click here [pdf] to download the form. If you’re unsure of whether or not you’re registered at your current address, click here to look up your status. If you’re eligible to vote absentee, click here [pdf] to download the form that must be submitted by October 27th. Time is ticking! If you live in a target state this year, or know someone who does, make sure to register! For more information, or if you have questions about voting, please email us at [email protected].
Paid for by Human Rights Campaign Equality Votes, 1640 Rhode Island Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036.
