,

You know the stakes of this election are high. You know we need leadership to address the five concurrent crises that our country is experiencing and that have been made worse by President Trump: COVID-19, the economic recession, systemic racism, climate change, and threats to our democracy. The only way to make change right now is to vote.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will change the course of our country, but for them to do that we need to vote—and vote in overwhelming numbers. As we know, Trump will continue to throw shade on this election and try to undermine the results, particularly if the outcome is not known on Election Day. And because so many people are voting by mail, we may not know the results by Nov. 3.

We will insist on counting every vote, but first we must make sure everyone votes. In most states you can vote in one of three ways: vote by mail, vote early in person (with a mask and other safety safeguards), or vote in person on Nov. 3 (also with safeguards). Click here to learn more about vote-by-mail requirements, early voting dates, ID requirements and deadlines in Washington, D.C.

Because of COVID-19, many states have had to adjust how they conduct their elections. And in many states, the Republican Party is actively working to suppress the vote and make voting more difficult by restricting when ballots can be counted, closing polling places, limiting ballot drop-off locations and more.

The pandemic and Trump’s war on voting is making voting more complicated than ever. We must be informed and vigilant to make sure our voices are heard. Click here to visit your state election website to learn more.

If you plan to vote by mail, be sure to request your ballot as soon as possible. Once you receive it, carefully read and follow the instructions for filling out the ballot. Then return the ballot, in the way your state requires, as soon as you’ve filled it out. Do not wait until the deadline.

If you plan to vote early in person, make sure you know your early voting polling place. Wear a mask to the polls and bring any identification that may be required. If you are able to vote early, you should do so, in order to keep lines shorter on Nov. 3 for those who must vote on Election Day. If you experience problems voting, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

If you plan to vote on Nov. 3, make a voting plan. Find out where your polling place is located, and what hours it is open. Remember to wear a mask and bring any identification you may need. Keep in mind that the lines may be long and that you must stay in line to cast your vote. If you experience problems voting, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE.

Make sure that you, your friends and your family know exactly what is needed to vote, by visiting your state election website here. Read up and make your plan to vote as soon as you can.

In unity,
Randi Weingarten
AFT president

Paid for by AFT Solidarity, www.aft.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.