TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE TABLEOF OF CONTENTS CONTENTS pg 2 Why You Should Vote by Autumn Asbill
pg 3 How To Vote: Before The Polls by Madeline Burgin
pg 4 When To Vote: Election Day by Madeline Burgin
pg 5 Who Are The Candidates by Emily Garcia
pg 7 Who Will Be Your Candidate by Aaron Nipper
pg 9 Trouble Shooting by Madeline Burgin
WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE BY AUTUMN ASBILL
Gayla Keesee, the Voter Services Chairperson on the League of Women Voters (LWV), Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), calls the act of voting, “the most important,” and further explains that, “if your vote did not count, they [entities that perpetuate voter suppression] wouldn’t be trying so hard to constrict it [your right to vote].” Your individual vote is a catalyst for the entire political process, according to Keesee. You probably aren’t a stranger to one of the more popular phrase in America, come general election time. “I’m not going to vote in the general election because the electoral college’s vote is the only vote that counts.” According to the Richmond County Board of Elections, Executive Director, Lynn Baily, “If you don’t go out and make your voice heard, then you haven’t participated in making [the life you want for yourself ] possible.” Baily explains that the electoral college doesn’t even vote until December, weeks after the general election results are out. Furthermore, electors pledge to vote in accordance with the popular vote. Electors can face disqualification, fines and even jailtime for voting against their state’s majority. In Georgia, the “faithless elector” is not permitted, assures Baily. And, if you’re worried about the electors, when you vote you are also choosing which electors will vote in the general election. When you vote for a Democratic presidential candidate, you are voting for Democratic potential electors. If you vote for a Republican candidate you are also voting for Republican potential electors. So, when you vote at the polls, think of it like you are voting for the potential electors who represent your political party’s interests, all this according to Baily. Choosing each State’s potential electors is a two-part process. First, the political parties in each state choose slates of potential electors before the general election, says Baily. Second, during the general election, the voters in each state select their state’s electors by casting their ballots. The winning Presidential candidate’s slate of potential electors are appointed as the State’s electors.vvt Electors are like the family you inherit when you marry a candidate during the election. The next four years of a country’s history are heavily determinant on the voters that turn out at the polls, according to Keesee. “Make the decision. Be the vote,” prompts Keesee.
How to vote:
BEFORE THE POLLS by Madeline Burgin REGISTER There are 2 main ways to register to vote: 1. Register online by visiting vote.gov and follow the instructions. 2. Download the National Mail Voter registration form below, follow their instructions and mail it to your state’s location. (If it is your first-time voting, you must send proof of your identification e.g. copy of your driver license.) https://www.eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form
RESEARCH Make sure to know what issues matter to you and find candidates who align with those values. Some resources to get you started: https://www.vote411.org/ https://www.usatoday.com/storytelling/election-2020-voter-guide/ https://www.rockthevote.org/ https://www.lwv.org/
REMEMBER • Polling places hours are 7a.m.to 7p.m. but may change if voting machines experience issues, pay attention to your local news sources. • Polling places are the busiest in the early morning and late afternoon. • Double check your voter registration and your polling place. • Make travel plans ahead of time. • Know that you can’t make it to the polls on voting day? Absentee vote! See the Troubleshooting section of this issue
WHEN TO VOTE: ELECTION DAYS
PRIMARY ELECTION Georgia Voter Registration Deadline: February 24, 2020 Georgia General Primary Election: May 19, 2020 Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot: May 15, 2020 Deadline to Return Absentee Ballot: May 18, 2020
GENERAL ELECTION Georgia Voter Registration Deadline: October 5, 2020 Georgia General Election: November 3, 2020 Deadline to Request Absentee Ballot: October 30, 2020 Deadline to Return Absentee Ballot: November 2, 2020
TIPS • In open or “jungle” presidential primaries, you can vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary! Georgia’s primary will be open this year! • Bring your ID • If your don’t have a photo ID the state of Georgia offers a free Voter ID card. Acard can be issued at any county registrar’s office or Department of Driver’s Services (DMV) free of charge. • For more information on how to receive a Voter ID card. Visit: https://sos.ga.gov/index.php/elections/georgia_voter_identification_ requirements2
Joe Biden Age: 77 Occupation: former Vice President of the United States; former Senator from Delaware Net worth: $9 million Biden’s top contributors are Morgan & Morgan (a law firm), Paul, Weiss et al, Weitz & Luxenberg and Simmons Hanly Conroy.
Elizabeth Warren
Bernie Sanders
Age: 70 Occupation: Senator from Massachusetts; former Harvard professor Net Worth: $8.75 million Warren’s top contributors are Alphabet Inc., University of California, Harvard University and Microsoft Corp.
Age: 78 Occupation: Senator from Vermont; former congressman Net Worth: $2 million Sanders’ top contributors are the University of California, Alphabet Inc (a parent company of Google), Amazon and Microsoft Corp.
Donald Trump
Amy Klobuchar
Age: 73 Occupation: President of the United States; reality television star; Net Worth: $3.1 Billion Trump’s top contributors are America First Action, GH Palmer association (real estate developer in Beverly Hills), Uline Inc and the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Age: 59 Occupation: Senator from Minnesota; former district attorney Net Worth: $2 million Klobuchar’s top contributors are Paul, Weiss et. al. (a law firm), Kirkland & Ellis (international law firm), Wachtell, Lipton et al (a law firm) and the University of Minnesota.
Pete Buttigieg
Michael Bloomberg
Age: 38 Occupation: former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana; military veteran Net Worth: $100,000 Buttigieg’s top contributors are Alphabet Inc., Microsoft Corp, University of California and Paul, Weiss et al.
Age: 77 Occupation: businessman, former Mayor of New York City (NYC) Net Worth: $61.8 billion Bloomberg’s top contributor is himself.
Registration Status
Haven’t voted in a while or don’t know if you’re registered? Here’s how to check your registration status: 1. Visit https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote and click check your ‘Voter Registration Status’ and pick your state. 2. It will direct you to your state’s page to check your voter registration status.
Absentee Voting
Whether you are an out-of-state student or simply can’t make it to your poll, here’s how to take advantage of absentee voting: 1. Make sure you’re registered 2. Check to see if your state needs a documented excuse at https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/absentee-and-early-voting.aspx#overview 3. Visit your state’s voting website which can be found at https://www.usa.gov/election-office 4. OR simply pick your state and fill out you form at https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot/ 5. Your ballot will then be mailed to you 6. Vote and mail it in!
Early Voting
Can’t make it to vote? Here’s how to vote early: 1. Must be registered to vote 2. Check your state’s early voting period and policy at https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/early-voting-in-state-elections.aspx#Early%20Voting%20Law%20Table OR https:// www.vote.org/early-voting-calendar/ 3. Show up and vote early or simply cast an absentee ballot
Change Your Polling Place
Staying someplace permanently? Here’s how change your polling place: • Tip! If you have moved recently, it’s better to change your residence about a month before the election. • If you’ve moved within the same county as your old polling place: 1. File a notice of a new address by writing to your board of registrar’s office OR 2. Submitting a new voter registration application • If you’ve moved outside the county as your old polling place: 1. Register to vote in your new area of residence within 30 days to the election
Provisional Ballots
If during the voting process your eligibility comes into question, here’s how to use a Provisional Ballot at your Polling Place: 1. The voter must provide a written affirmation, which will be signed in front of an election official at their polling place stating that they are a registered voter and are eligible to vote in this election. 2. After Election Day in Georgia, a voter who used a provisional ballot must show the required identification in 3 days
HOT LINES Richmond County Board of Elections:(706) 821-2340 Election Protection:(866) 687-8683 Columbia County Board of Elections: (706) 868-3355 Burke County Board of Elections:(706) 554-7457 McDuffie County Board of Elections:(706) 595-2105 League of Women Voters, CSRA: (706) 414-6515