What’s Your Voting Plan?

Have you already made your plan to vote? Here are important tips to help you develop your voting plan and ensure your vote is counted in this election.

1. Check your voter registration status (and check again)
2. Register to vote (or preregister if you are 16 or 17 in California, Illinois and New Jersey)
3. Decide how and when you will vote:

Vote by Mail (California only… sorry Illinois, New Jersey and Wisconsin don’t offer this option): All registered California voters will be automatically sent a vote-by-mail ballot at least one month before the election. If you’ve recently moved, you can update your California residence address by re-registering online by the voter registration deadline (15 days before Election Day).

1. Make your selections. Don’t forget to vote all the way down the ballot!
2. Insert your ballot in the pre-paid envelope provided. Complete ALL required information on the outside of the envelope, including sign and date the back of the envelope. Note: Every signature is verified by county officials before the ballot can be counted.
3. Return your ballot by:
   • Mail: Ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day (i.e. November 5, 2024)
   • In person: Ballot must be delivered no later than the close of polls at 8pm on Election Day.
   • Drop box: Find your nearest ballot drop-off location
4. Track your ballot: California Secretary of State is offering Where’s My Ballot?, a new way for voters to track when their ballot is mailed, received and counted. Sign-up to receive email, text, or call notifications about your ballot every step of the way.

Vote in Person:

• Early voting: Find early voting hours and locations near you in California, Illinois and New Jersey (sorry Wisconsin doesn’t offer this option).
• Election Day: Polls are typically open 7am-8pm local time. Your polling location is on the back page of your Voter Information Guide mailed in September. You can also find your polling place online, call (800) 345-8683 or text “Vote” to 468683.
• What to bring:
  • If you’ve voted in California, Illinois and New Jersey before, you don’t need to show ID. You must have ID with you to vote in Wisconsin.
  • First-time voters may be asked to provide ID. Check your Secretary of State’s website for a list of acceptable forms of ID (here is California’s).

Now that you’ve developed your own voting plan, encourage others to do the same. Let’s get out the vote early this year!