Here’s some last-minute reminders about voting on Election Day
Election Day is one day away. If you don't already know, here's how you can vote and other key details to know going into the polls...
Election Day is one day away. If you don’t already know, here’s how you can vote and other key details to know going into the polls.
Where is my polling place?
Just use Google. There are tons of sites that can help you find your polling place. But Google is just easier. The search engine giant allows you to type in your exact address and then locates your polling place, reveals its operating hours and lets you know what you need to bring with you on Election Day.
According to Google metrics, 233 percent more people in 2016 have googled “How to Vote” than in 2012. Don’t allow confusion on where to vote be the reason you do not head to the polls.
There are other important races
As you know, this is not an election exclusively for who will be our next president. Your vote matters across the board.
The Democrats are scrambling hard to retake their majority in the Senate (which they lost in 2014). Politico Magazine has a nice rundown of all the various things that could be determined in different states, including some historic firsts and other ballot initiatives.
Let’s not leave any election to chance
Some polls have the presidential race between Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump as “neck and neck” in certain battleground states.
According to the New York Times Upshot/Siena College Survey released Monday, the pair are tied at 44 percent in North Carolina. In Ohio, the Columbus Times-Dispatch shows the state at 48 percent for Clinton and 47 percent for Trump. A Quinnipiac University poll shows Clinton at 46 percent and Trump at 45 percent with likely voters in Florida. Nationally, Clinton seems to have the edge. She’s three points ahead in Bloomberg’s final poll. Washington Post-ABC News’ latest tracking poll data shows Clinton at 47 and Trump at 43.
But, anything can happen. Do we remember the presidential race of 2000? The outcome came down to some 537 votes cast in Florida. 5-3-7. This election doesn’t appear to be as tightly contested — but who knows what can happen once Election Day is finally here?
People have died for your right to cast a ballot
Yes, the above statement seems dramatic and designed to guilt you into caring about our country’s future. But it’s not. It’s the reality of America. For African-Americans, the statement rings especially true. From the Fifteenth Amendment to the passing of the the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the fight to obtain and maintain our vote has been arduous and ongoing.
Today, African-Americans are having to fight against new ways of voter suppression, with new voter ID laws and voter intimidation tactics. Remember those who died for your right by voting on Election Day.
Ashantai Hathaway is a reporter at theGrio. Keep up with her on Twitter @ashantaih83
