With the spread of COVID-19 across the United States and around the world, many aspects of life have become uncertain. In this unprecedented situation, many immovable dates have been changed by this global pandemic. The United States' primary elections are not immune to the coronavirus either. Many are wondering how Spring and Fall elections will change because of COVID-19.
I am a huge advocate for voters’ rights. Even though our system is not perfect, I think it is important to exercise your right to vote in a representative democracy. It’s especially important in 2020 because it is a presidential election year. However, many of your local and state officials are also up for election/re-election.
If you have never voted in a local, state or national election before, YOU MUST REGISTER TO VOTE. After you’ve registered once, you don’t need to do it again, so register to vote here.
Every state has a different voter registration deadline, which you must register by in order to vote in the upcoming election. Find your state’s registration deadline here. It is possible that some of these deadlines may be extended because of postponed primaries, so go to your state’s voter registration website or check out the Vote Smart database to find more information.
Some states have what are called “closed primaries,” so you may be required to be registered with a political party to participate in the primary election. Find out if your state has closed or open primaries here.
However, it is also very important to social distance and self-quarantine to help stop the spread of COVID-19. You may be asking, how can I vote if my state is under stay-at-home or shelter-in-place guidelines?
Many state legislatures have been grappling with this issue, and your state may be recommending different practices, so it is important to stay informed if your state has not already held its primary elections. For example, I live in Pennsylvania, and my governor postponed the state’s primaries from April 28 to June 2. Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. have also postponed their elections until June 2. Here is a complete list of states that have postponed their primary elections to date.
However, in-person voting is not the only way that citizens can vote in elections. As an out-of-state college student, I am registered to vote in Pennsylvania by absentee ballot. Pennsylvania is a swing state; therefore, I feel like my vote matters more at home than in New York. I voted this year and last year by mail, and I was registered to do the same this semester before Syracuse University students were sent home.
Mail-in ballots may be a safer option for many voters in the coming months because it limits large gatherings at polling locations and minimizes contact between people who could be infected and/or at risk. You can apply to vote by mail online or in person at your town or city hall. I would suggest applying online at this time. You can apply for an absentee ballot here.
As your election date approaches, it is important to educate yourself about the candidates you are voting for in the upcoming primaries. The New York Times has information about all of the current and past presidential candidates and their platforms. Ballotpedia is also a great resource for the 2020 congressional races. You can also find more information about your state and local elections on Ballotpedia.
Are there any questions about voting in primaries that I haven’t answered? Let me know in the comments. Also, feel free to add any election resources that you have found helpful that I forgot to include.
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