Q & A
This month’s Q & A is all about voting!
1. What are the requirements for voting and where does one go to register?
Where can I find information about voting?
What if I am a newly sworn in citizen, is registering to vote the same process?
2. Do I have to register seperately for primaries and the general election?
3. Can I vote as a democrat in one election and then a republican in another?
What are the requirements for voting and where does one go to register? Each state sets its own rules regarding the voting process. This is one of those “rights” that is deligated to the states. USA.gov, states it in the following way, “Each state makes its own voting and election rules, including when and how to register. Check with your state or local election office to get the most detailed and up-to-date information for where you live.” U.S. election laws date back to Article 1 of the Constitution. This gave states the responsibility of overseeing federal elections. Many Constitutional amendments and federal laws to protect voting rights have been passed since then.
Where can I find information about voting? The USA.gov, website is clear and perfect place to begin your search for voting deadlines and where and how to register to vote. There is even a very clear video explaining the search and registration process. USA.gov, points you to vote.gov where you will just fill in your state and the rules for registration, including deadlines and whether or not your state is one of the 42 plus the District of Columbia, that allow online registration. If your state is not one of those which allows online voting registration or if you are interested in mailing in your registration and need to know what the local voting office is, you can consult the National Mail Voter Registration form, which is printed in 21 languages and can be printed and filled out in detail according to the directions. The form states where to mail the registration form, answers FAQ’s, gives directions for overseas and/or military registration and assistance with the process. If still confused check the NMVR form or the vote.gov. site.
Remember that there are very clear guidelines for who can and cannot vote. To vote in federal, state and local elections, one must be a citizen, meet your state’s residency requrements, be 18 by election day and are registered to vote by your state’s registration deadline. (North Dakota does not require registration) In some states and depending upon the election, even the homeless are allowed to vote.
Rules vary by state and election as to whether those convicted of felonies, those who are mentally incapacitated or those with other specific restrictions are allowed to vote. Check with your local election office to answer some of these specific questions and those regarding ID’s, and other local voting requriements.
What if I am a newly sworn in citizen, when can I vote and is registering to vote the same process? You cannot vote in any US federal election if you are not a full U.S. citizen. According to Justia.com, even if you have applied for citizenship, you may be subject to deportation from the U.S. as well as criminal penalties. You must wait until you are properly registered to vote. Again, according to Justia.com, once you have taken the oath and received your naturalization certificate, you will be a U.S. citizen. This means that you are eligible to register to vote in elections at federal, state, and local levels. At your naturalization ceremony, USCIS should give you information on how to register to vote. You also have the opportunity to register to vote at any time at specified government offices. You might even be able to register at the Department of Motor Vehicles (or the equivalent agency) in your state or at a post office. (see above USA.gov, and vote.gov to find where to vote in your state.)
2. Do I have to register seperately for primaries and the general election? Voting in primary elections is often a complex process and depending upon whether or not you have declared a political party, your primary voting choices may be limited. For example, Fairvote.org, explains the process for voting in an “open” or a “closed” primary. In an open primary, voters of any affiliation may vote in the primary of any party. In many open primary states, voters do not indicate partisan affiliation when they register to vote. Also according to Fairvote.org, “Crossover” primaries involve voters affiliated with one political party voting in the primary of another political party to influence that party's nomination.
In a “closed” primary, only voters registered with a given party can vote in that party's primary. States with closed primaries include party affiliation in the voter registration process so that the state has an official record of what party each voter is registered as.
There are a few cases where independent voters may register with a party on Election Day. However, they must remain registered with that party until they change their affiliation again. A handful of states even allow voters registered with one party to switch their registration at the polls to vote in another party's primary.
3. Can I vote as a democrat in one election and then a republican in another? Except for primary elections, one can vote for any party’s candidate, regardless of ones registration status.
4. Finally, you will need to update or change your voter registration for any of the following:
If you move within your state
If you change your name
If you want to change your political party affiliation
If you move permanently to another state, register to vote in that new state and submit your changes before your state’s registration deadline. That could be up to 30 days before the election.
There are still other very useful voting information sites which provide information on registration, deadlines, and. political policy issues and party platforms which are available to curious voters. Some of these are: HowtoVote, Rock the Vote, the League of Women Voters, and the excellent site, Plan Your Vote.
