It goes down in the ballot box.  Democracy works best when everyone participates.

When the stakes are high, women of the color vote. Period. In the 2016 election,  94% of black women voters opted for Hillary Clinton, the most unified of any demographic in the U.S. But what happens when we’re turned away at the polls or we’re dissuaded from voting?
In 2018,  voter suppression laws are trying to make a more unwelcome comeback than Rosanne. From the suppression of Native American voters in North Dakota to the “Exact Match” scandal discouraging predominately African American voters from heading to the polls in Georgia.

At Poetic Justice, we’re not here for it. Regardless of who you vote for, here are 5 things you need to know before Election Day.

1. If they try to turn you away, and say that you are not registered. Request a provisional ballot.

The exact words to the state are “Give me a provisional ballot with a receipt as required by law when requested.”  Provisional ballots are used when there are questions about the voters eligibility to vote. They are typically not counted until the day after an election.  

Provisional ballots may be requested or cast for many reasons such as:  

  • The voter’s name isn’t on the list.
  • The voter’s eligibility is being challenged.
  • The voter does not have a photo ID present.
  • The voter didn’t receive the absentee ballot they requested.
  • The voter's registration contains inaccurate or outdated info. Perhaps the address or name is misspelled or wrong.

If vote via a provisional ballot, always request a receipt. Many provisional ballots are not accepted (about 21%), so don’t rely on them. Millions are submitted. About 44% of these were cast by voters who were not registered, but many other rejections were for reasons that were "preventable," such as an incorrect precinct or missing signature.

2. There’s a hotline for election day wackness.

If you experience any problems on the day of the election, step outside the polls and call 866-OUR-VOTE to talk to trained volunteers. You can also text the words “election protection” to 97779 for help.  

3. Even if you didn’t register. Go anyway.

Always register to vote on time. If the past 20 years, have taught us anything, it’s that every vote counts, and we don’t want to provide any reason for officials to not count our votes.

That being said 17 states and Washington, D.C. offer “same-day registration.”  This allows voters to both register and vote on the same day. Fifteen states have Same-Day Voter Registration: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, Vermont Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia.

Washington will enact it in 2019. Maryland and North Carolina only allow this during the early voting period at early voting locations.

Show up prepared. It will require an ID & proof of residency. So take a driver’s license/ passport/state-issued ID (If you don’t have one bring a notarized copy of your birth certificate) and a utility bill. Some states accept a bill, some require a driver’s license with an address. Some states require a photo ID, other states don’t require the photo. So check your state’s requirements.  

Disclaimer: Don’t think you’re slick, and try to register in two locations or vote twice. It’s a felony. It’s recorded. And you will go to jail. Stay free, sis. 

how to make voting less confusing

"As of today, the future is very unsure due to the fact my generation underestimates the power we have with our voices and our votes. I believe if we all took the privilege to vote, and used our voices to ignite change then there would be hope for a better future." - Amaria

4. Understand the Full Ballot.

Some people actually have never voted in a midterm election. The midterm election is often overlooked in between the sporting event that is the presidential election. However, this year is certain to be different because #2018.

During this election, it’s crucial that you understand some of the laws and propositions that you’re voting for. Often there are a lot of little tricks and crazy additive clauses thrown in between the pages that they think nobody’s going to see. Some of that stuff, you may actually not like. To prep yourself for the propositions, check out ballotready.org. It gives you the low-down on what’s going down on your ballot from the stances of each candidate and the reasons someone may vote for or against each proposition. Not every candidate has a complete profile, so you may want to do some additional research.

5. If you are in line when the poll closes... DO NOT get out of that line.

As long as you are in line before the poll closes you are legally entitled to cast your vote. It is against the law to not allow you to perform your civic duty if you are in line even 1 minute before. We know you ladies are moms, wives, students, hustlers, and/ or bosses. Life gets busy. But even if you carve out those last few moments of your day to just get there... it matters. It makes a difference. And you are legally entitled to do your part to change the world.

We marched in the streets. It’s time to march to the polls. See you on Nov. 6th. Because expressing yourself is always in fashion.

 

 

"I will raise my voice / & scream & holler / & break things & race the engine / & tell all yr secrets bout yrself to yr face."  - The great & late Ntzoke Shange, Sorry from For Colored Girls