Prepare to Vote: 4 Steps to Take Before November 6

With the 2012 presidential elections quickly nearing, it’s important for Americans to start making the necessary preparations to ensure that their vote is counted November 6.

Below are 4 essential steps all citizens should take prior to the upcoming U.S. elections:

1. Register to Vote
According to Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), most U.S. states require residents to register to vote 28-30 days in advance of the election. Specific registration deadlines per state are available here. There are multiple options to choose from to register, including snail-mail, online, in person at the Board of Elections and the Department of Motor Vehicles, among others. Don’t wait until the last minute to register — take time today. And if you have relocated since the last election, you’ll most likely need to register again — even if you live in the same city and/or county!

2. Find Your Polling Location or Request an Absentee Ballot
Advice: locate your polling location BEFORE election day. Even if you reside in the same town since the last election, polling locations change often, not to mention traffic and the occasional wrong turn. Make sure to save the correct poll address in your calendar, GPS or smart phone. You should also calculate the time it will take you to travel to the nearest poll, while planning for unexpected traffic. And to be extra careful, test drive your route prior to the big day.

If you’re a U.S. citizen residing outside the country, you’ll need to apply for an absentee ballot by your residency state’s deadline.

3. Confirm Polling Hours and Deadlines
Prior to Election Day, don’t forget to confirm polling hours and other deadlines for your polling office. Hours of operation range by state and booth staff keep a strict schedule. If you get the closing time wrong, you’ll miss out the opportunity to cast your vote. Click here to check polling hours for your home state or U.S. territory. Voting absentee? You’re not off the hook. In order to be counted, your ballot must be completed and received by your County Recorder no later than 7pm on Election Day.

4. Plan Ahead: Schedule Time to Vote
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to get caught up in it all on Election Day. To avoid getting distracted, schedule a specific time to visit your local poll. Coordinate this time with your employer, family, childcare and others. Set aside time on your iCal or Outlook calendar and block off the time to avoid conflicting appointments.

The average time it takes to vote ranges from one to three hours, and most states have laws in place that require employers to provide PTO for voting time.

Visit Vote.us, an official resource website of the U.S. Department of Commerce, to help you prepare for Election Day. You’ll find all the information you need to ensure you are ready to vote this November. Start planning now to ensure your vote counts.

Don’t miss out on exercising right to vote — visit vote.us to get ready for November 6.