John,

The 2020 election, on November 3rd, is perhaps the most consequential in the history of our country.

Coalition on Human Needs is working to make sure everyone who is eligible to vote has a plan to vote. This year, we are faced with the daunting challenge of voting during a pandemic. To do so safely requires some forethought.

1. Make a plan to vote. (Vote by mail, drop ballot off, vote early in person, or vote in person on Election Day)

2. Follow through on your plan.

In some states, ballots will start being mailed to people's homes in less than two weeks. If you decide to vote by mail, make sure you allow enough time for your ballot to reach your polling station.

Click here to let us know how you plan to vote. Are you going to vote by mail? Vote in person? The stakes couldn't be higher this election—and we want to be sure you plan ahead to cast your vote.

Voting is a simple idea. But since each state’s voting laws are different, it’s important to plan ahead—particularly in the midst of a pandemic. Here is a basic explanation of the variety of ways you can vote:

Vote by mail (get your ballot by mail, return it by mail)

• Voting by mail is generally the safest, healthiest option to vote during a pandemic. Voting by mail gives people the most control over how and when they vote, but it’s also critical that these ballots get mailed as early as possible due to potential postal delays. Voting early by mail also allows ballot counting to begin earlier in some states, limiting how long official results will take to tally.

Drop ballot off (get your ballot by mail, return to in-person ballot box or election office):

• Dropping off the ballot you received in the mail is the second safest, healthiest option to vote during a pandemic. Voting in this manner will allow people to have full control over their ballot; they will know exactly when their ballot is received.

Vote early, no lines:

• Some states allow early, in-person voting. Lines may be shorter, and with potentially smaller crowds; this may be a safer option than on Election Day. It also allows more ballots to be counted ahead of Election Day in some states, possibly limiting how long official results take to tabulate. (It’s important to note, however, what voter ID laws may exist, and to have hotline phone numbers handy for any in-person voting issues or questions.)

Election Day, in-person:

• Election Day voting is the most widely used method of voting and also allows for last-minute (sometimes even same-day) registrations in some states. It also allows people the most amount of time to decide who they are voting for. It’s important to note what voter ID laws may exist, to know if your polling location has changed since the last election, and to have hotline phone numbers handy for any in-person voting issues or questions.

Click here to let us know how you plan to vote in this critical 2020 election. Are you going to vote by mail? Vote in person? The stakes couldn't be higher this election and we want to be sure you plan ahead to cast your vote.

The Coalition on Human Needs believes that every eligible voter should have the ability to actively participate in our democracy. That’s why, over the next two months, we’ll be providing you with opportunities to strengthen our democracy and help others access their right to vote. If you haven't already, be sure to use the resources on our website to learn what options you have in your state.

In a democracy, elections are the most direct way for people to prioritize the issues that our country faces. But for a democracy to work, people need to vote.

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs