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How to register to vote in less than two minutes

By September 28, 2018July 8th, 2019No Comments

By Victoria Rodriguez, Mashable —

All the cool kids are doing it. That’s what you can tell your best friend when you finally convince them to register to vote.

Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day, the nationwide holiday that celebrates democracy and promotes voter registration every fourth Tuesday of September.

So if you haven’t registered already, you should do so now because the midterm elections are just a few weeks away. If you’re not sure about your state’s election date or the location of your polling place, you can visit Rockthevote.org to learn more. You can also register to vote on the organization’s website.

As Rock The Vote President and Executive Director Carolyn DeWitt suggests, this is not an election day you can afford to miss. “This is the most consequential midterm election in the lifetime of young voters. National Voter Registration Day is a critical moment to ensure that their voices are able to be heard in the midterms,” she said in a statement.

“The energy and engagement we have seen from our youth since the 2016 elections has been unprecedented,” DeWitt added. “Whether at marches, rallies, or town halls the youth of our nation have made one thing very clear, that the time for them to be heard is now and in these midterms they will come out in record numbers.”

If you’ll be away from home on Election Day, which is Nov. 6, remember to request an absentee ballot at Vote.org. As noted on the website, application deadlines vary by state. Mark your calendar, set an alarm, do what you have to and send it in.

There are countless ways to register, one of which requires a visit to the DMV. In many states, you can undergo the process when you renew or apply for a driver’s license. However, if you’re dreading the infamous long lines, you can save time and opt to register online. These 11 brands, organizations, and platforms, can help you get the job done in no more than two minutes.

1. March For Our Lives

Following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, student activists embarked on a summer bus tour to register young people to vote, with the hope that their votes ushered in progressive leaders who’d push for gun law reforms. If you missed out on the tour, you can still take part in the movement and register on The March For Our Lives website.

2. The Women’s March

The Women’s March launched their Power to the Polls campaign to channel the energy from the nationwide protests to the polls. You can register through the website, or if you’d rather use your phone, you can text P2P to RTVOTE (788-683). Message and data rates may apply.

3. When We All Vote

Former First Lady Michelle Obama, alongside Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, and more, started the When We All Vote campaign to remind citizens of their responsibility to register and vote. You can take your first steps by clicking here, or text WeAllVote to 97779. Message and data rates may apply.

4. The Skimm

In addition to delivering digestible news about culture, politics, and more to its predominantly millennial, female readership, The Skimm is adamant about making an impact through voter registration. Through their No Excuses campaign, the email newsletter hopes to get 100,000 people to the polls this midterm election.

5. HeadCount

HeadCount is the best of both worlds: democracy and music. The nonprofit is dedicated to registering people to vote, at concerts, festivals, and online. When you’re done filling out the registration form on their website, explore the rest of the site to learn about additional voting information, volunteer opportunities, and upcoming events.

6. Voto Latino

As the name of the nonprofit suggests, the aim is to empower young Hispanic and Latino voters to take part in elections. This year, the organization announced its Somos Mas campaign, a collective effort to ensure the power of the Latino vote comes through on election day.

7. Turbo Vote

Turbo Vote has all the voter information you could ever need in one convenient place. Whether you have questions about election dates or absentee ballots, this site has got you covered.

8. Movement for Black Lives

Back in February, just before Marvel’s Black Panther hit theaters, The Movement For Black Lives launched a campaign to register black moviegoers to vote. To join in, text WAKANDA to 91990. Message and data rates may apply.

9. Twitter

In partnership with Turbo Vote, Twitter launched their #BeAVoter campaign to encourage people to register and provide information regarding election dates and absentee ballots. The next time you’re scrolling through your feed, be on the lookout for this prompt.

10. Snapchat

So many nonprofits, brands, and especially candidates, attempt to reach young voters, but Snapchat has an edge, here. If you’re over 18 and on the platform, expect to see a “Register to vote” link on your profile page. You can’t miss it.

The point is, whether you register with the help of your favorite social media platform or a reliable nonprofit, you, your friends, and your family need to do so. As Oprah would say, “You should vote. You should vote. Everyone should vote.”

11. Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote has worked for more than two decades on registering and mobilizing young voters. Whether you’re a first-timer or experienced voter, you’ll want to get familiar with this nonprofit. Its website provides the ultimate guide to voting rules, elections, dates, and deadlines in your state.

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IBW21

About IBW21

IBW21 (The Institute of the Black World 21st Century) is committed to enhancing the capacity of Black communities in the U.S. and globally to achieve cultural, social, economic and political equality and an enhanced quality of life for all marginalized people.

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