How Do I Vote on Election Day?

October 8, 2020, 8:00 AM EDT

Despite an anticipated surge in mail voting due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most voters will still be able to cast their ballots the old-fashioned way: by visiting their local polling place or other designated location on Election Day. Here’s what you need to prepare for if you’re planning to vote in person on Nov. 3.

Do I need to bring identification if I’m not a first-time voter?

Under the Help America Vote Act, passed in 2002, anyone voting for the first time in a federal election in their state must provide ID during registration. If they did not, they must show ID at the polls

Yes

Yes, but you can sign an affidavit instead

Note: Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Washington conduct elections with mail ballots, but voters are still able to return their ballots or vote in person in voting centers, county election offices or other designated locations on Election Day. States that offer an affidavit in lieu of voter ID allow you to vote a regular ballot, but it might be a lengthier process.

If you aren’t sure whether you have the voter ID required by your state, VoteRiders, a nonprofit organization that provides voter ID assistance, offers downloadable information cards to bring to the polls and helps voters obtain the documents they need.

What time will polls open and close in my state?

Does my state use provisional ballots?

In most states, if your eligibility to vote cannot be determined (see reasons by state below) you may have to vote a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots are typically counted after regular ones have been tabulated, and there may be follow-up steps to take to make sure your provisional ballot is counted

Yes, or an equivalent

No, you may vote if you sign an affidavit

Note: In New Hampshire, if you voted with by signing an affidavit, you will receive a verification letter from the state and must respond within 30 days. In South Dakota, if you don’t have a photo ID you may be asked to sign a personal identification affidavit and be able to vote a regular ballot, but for other reasons you may be required to vote a provisional ballot.

Kathleen Unger, Founder and President of VoteRiders, says that if you are questioned about your voter ID status but are confident you have valid ID, you may:

Present a VoteRiders information card, which lists the state ID laws, to the poll worker
Ask to speak with a supervisor
Ask if you can sign a sworn statement regarding your eligibility or have someone vouch for your identity
Call or text the VoteRiders’ Helpline (844-338-8743)
Ask for a provisional ballot

When voting a provisional ballot, make sure your signature matches the signature on file with the state. If you have concerns about signature matching, you may wish to re-register or update your signature in the state’s records.

Who is allowed to challenge my eligibility to vote in my state?

In some states, only election officials can challenge a voter’s eligibility. But others allow poll watchers or other voters to challenge a vote as well

Election officials only

Poll watchers or appointed challengers

Registered voters or individuals

Not allowed

Note: Officials may include the elections board, clerks, judges, inspectors, or others. Challengers may be appointed by a party, candidate or an organization representing an issue on the state ballot. In order to challenge another elector, a voter may be needed to be registered in the state, county, precinct or another locality. In Oklahoma, there is no provision for challenges in the state election code but voters are still subject to registration verification.

For more

How to Vote in 2020: Everything You Need to Know

How Do I Vote on Election Day?

Do I need to bring identification if I’m not a first-time voter?

What is valid voter identification in my state?

What time will polls open and close in my state?

Where can I find my polling place?

Does my state use provisional ballots?

Why might I have to vote a provisional ballot in my state?

Where can I track the status of my provisional ballot?

Who is allowed to challenge my eligibility to vote in my state?