16.7.2020.

How to Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted

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How to Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted

Joel Kahn
6/29/20 11:00AM • Filed to: VOTING 11 2

As the past few weeks of primaries have shown us, this election cycle is going to be a
challenging one for voters—to say the least.

With so much uncertainty over technical issues, social distancing protocols and an
influx of absentee ballots, how can you be sure you will be able to vote—and that
your vote will be counted properly?

In the video above, Raul Macias, an attorney at the Brennan Center for Justice, offers
advice on what to do before, during and after the election.

First, check your voter registration. Poll workers may say your registration is out of
date if you have moved recently or haven’t voted in the past few elections.

Next, check the rules for proper identification in your area. Make sure you are
prepared with the documents you need when you show up to vote.

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Macias points out that voting by mail has been a reliable way to vote for decades, and
it is only in recent election cycles have people have tried to undermine its credibility.
To vote by mail, make sure you follow the instructions on your ballot to handle any
postage, envelopes, or witnesses you may need.

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16.7.2020. How to Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted

If you show up to the polls and see a very long line, the most important thing to do is
stay in line. As long as you are in line before polls close, you will be allowed to vote.
People may tell you otherwise, but they are only trying to get you to leave without
casting a vote.

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And if, for any reason, a worker tells you you can’t vote, ask to speak to a supervisor,
fill out a provisional ballot and get a receipt so you can track whether it is counted. To
report any problems when voting call the Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-
VOTE.

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DISCUSSION

digitalsandwich78
6/29/20 11:36AM

The title is “How to Make Sure Your Vote Is Counted”.

I read the article, but all I see are guidelines for improving the odds of my vote being
counted. How does any of this “make sure” that my vote is counted?

See all replies

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