General Discussion

Wednesdays

(20,315 posts) Tue Nov 5, 2024, 07:22 AM Nov 5

🚨 TODAY is Election Day! 🚨 Election Calendar, Activists' Lists, and Donation Links (updated daily)

🚨 Today is your last chance to vote! Make a plan on how you’ll get to vote. Call your election office to determine your voting location and time! If you have an absentee ballot, submit it to your election office TODAY. 🚨

Image: "Registering to vote is complicated? False. It takes 2 minutes using Rock the Vote's online voter registration tool."
https://rockthevote.com/register

Image: Trump jury selection process: registering to vote.

I've updated this list daily over the last several months, including links and other info.

Please let me know if there are any broken links, or incorrect or incomplete information, and I will make the necessary corrections.

Oh, and also feel free to copy & paste all this info onto other platforms, your Facebook, social media, etc.

For voting information, activists' lists, and donation links, scroll down below the Election Calendar

Democratic Activists! Events, Petitions, and Volunteer Opportunities: there are too many across the states to list here, but keep aware of the calendar at the link below and sign up to help your local Democrats!
https://www.mobilize.us/

2024 Election Calendar

Tue. November 5 (TODAY)

General Election Day

Colorado, Michigan, Washington: voter registration deadline (in-person)
Colorado, D.C., Idaho, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming: Election Day same-day registration and voting
Utah: Election Day same-day registration and voting, with provisional ballot
Maryland: absentee ballot request deadline (in-person)
Alabama: absentee ballot return deadline, by mail (received-by deadline)
Alaska: absentee ballot return deadline (email, online, or fax) (received-by deadline)
Alaska: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail, postmarked by this date and received by November 15)
Arizona: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Arkansas: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), received by 7:30 p.m.
California: absentee ballot return deadline (in person); postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 12 (by mail)
Colorado: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Connecticut: absentee ballot return deadline (in person); received by 8:00 p.m. (by mail or dropbox)
Delaware: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
D.C.: absentee ballot return deadline, postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 15 (by mail)
Florida: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Georgia: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Hawaii: absentee ballot return deadline (received-by deadline)
Idaho: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Illinois: absentee ballot return deadline, postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 19 (by mail)
Indiana: absentee ballot return deadline, 6:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Iowa: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Kansas: absentee ballot return deadline (in-person), 12:00 noon
Kansas: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 8.
Kentucky: absentee ballot return deadline, 6:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Maine: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Maryland: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. for in-person or dropbox ballots; (for postal ballots: postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 15)
Massachusetts: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 8
Michigan: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Minnesota: absentee ballot return deadline (received-by deadline), hand-delivered by 3:00 p.m., post received by 8:00 p.m.
Mississippi: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 13
Missouri: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Montana: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Nebraska: absentee ballot return deadline (received-by deadline)
Nevada: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (dropbox)
Nevada: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 9
New Hampshire: absentee ballot return deadline, 5:00 p.m. (by mail, received-by deadline)
New Jersey: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (in-person)
New Jersey: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 11
New Mexico: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
New York: absentee ballot return deadline (in-person)
New York: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 12
North Carolina: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:30 p.m. (in-person and by mail, received-by deadline)
Ohio: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:30 p.m. (dropbox)
Oklahoma: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Oregon: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (in-person and dropbox)
Oregon: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 12
Pennsylvania: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Rhode Island: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
South Carolina: absentee ballot return deadline (received-by deadline)
South Dakota: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Tennessee: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Texas: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (in-person, received-by deadline)
Texas: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 6
Utah: absentee ballot return deadline (dropbox)
Vermont: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (hand-delivered to polling place), or (by mail) received by this date and time
Virginia: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 8
Virginia: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (by all other means)
Washington: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (in the election office)
Washington: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date
West Virginia: absentee ballot return deadline (by mail), postmarked by this date and received by Nov. 12
Wisconsin: absentee ballot return deadline, 8:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)
Wyoming: absentee ballot return deadline, 7:00 p.m. (received-by deadline)

Note: some states allow an emergency ballot if you have an illness, medical emergency, or other emergency that keeps you from voting. Contact your local election office.

Get your Election Day countdown clock here:
https://www.270towin.com/2024-countdown-clock/

Voting Information, Including Voter Registration

Register to vote now!

Your local county Democratic Headquarters probably has voter registration forms, or can tell you how to get them. City halls, public libraries, fire stations, and police stations often have registration forms. Give 'em a call.

Then, there's this online registration tool:
https://www.rockthevote.org/

Check Your Voter Registration Status - Don't Risk Losing Your Voice (posted by qwlauren35)
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218589191
Go here (courtesy Nevilledog):
https://iwillvote.com/

The Harris-Walz campaign says: "Don't forget to check the expiry dates of all your voting Ids."

MineralMan says: make sure you have a current passport or other proof of citizenship prepared, just in case it's required for you to vote! "Get a marriage certificate, too, if you are a woman and changed your surname after you got married." If you're a woman who married more than once, you need official copies of all marriage and divorce (or death) certificates.
https://democraticunderground.com/100219422144

The cast of "Hamilton" has produced a video that explains the voting process: how to register, how to be an activist, and so on.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143308089

More links regarding your voter registration status
(Thanks to Attilatheblond for this info)

Check your voter registration status frequently, ESPECIALLY shortly before your state's deadline. Particularly important if your county has GOP officials who may try to purge voters.
https://www.usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration

Voter I.D. Requirements, By State
https://tracker.votingrightslab.org/issues/id-requirements?law=100

National Association of Secretaries of State
https://www.nass.org/can-I-vote

Check your state's registration deadline
https://www.usvotefoundation.org/state-election-dates-and-deadlines

Voter Registration Card information
https://www.usa.gov/voter-registration-card]

Want to see what your ballot will look like? Sample ballot lookup (this also gives info about the candidates and issues on your ballot):
https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup

College students! Here's info about voting and absentee voting (voter registration closes as early as October 5th!):
https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/away-at-college-how-and-where-do-you-vote/

Absentee and mail-in voting information (also important for college students!):
https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote/absentee-early-voting

Info for overseas voters:
https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote-from-abroad

Info for military voters:
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/You-Can-Vote-From-Anywhere/

Facebook Voting Information Center:
https://www.facebook.com/votinginformationcenter/

Voting Info From vote411.org
Launched by the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF) in October of 2006, VOTE411.org is a "one-stop-shop" for election related information. It provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information on the following aspects of the election process:

Absentee ballot information
Ballot measure information (where applicable)
Early voting options (where applicable)
Election dates
Factual data on candidates in various federal, state and local races
General information on such topics as how to watch debates with a critical eye
ID requirements
Polling place locations
Registration deadlines
Voter qualifications
Voter registration forms
Voting machines

https://vote411.org

Blue Voter Guide, which shows Democratic candidates and proposals in your district. Simply enter your address:
https://bluevoterguide.org/

Donation Links

Before you donate, beware of obscure sites that claim to be for Democrats, but never reveal where your money really goes. Your money could be just used to line their pockets, donated to something totally irrelevant, or even donated to TRUMP! See this thread:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219259896

Some reputable sites (but be sure to read all the caveats, below):

Donate to Harris For President fund!
https://kamalaharris.com/

ActBlue is a nonprofit organization that builds tools Democrats count on to run their own small-dollar fundraising programs.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/introducingactblueexpress

A caveat about ActBlue, to paraphrase DFW:
"I send checks rather than go through ActBlue, because then the amount actually donated will be greater. Note that the credit card companies keep a big chunk of what's donated via ActBlue. When you send a check instead, the candidates keep 100% of the donation. In tight races where every cent of the campaign budgets count, that margin could matter."

"Not all of our candidates will win. A losing candidate is still responsible for campaign debts. I doubt ActBlue or Mastercard will offer to help out."

BumRushDaShow says: “Some of the ActBlue sites are setup for PayPal or equivalent. If you donate that way, you won’t invoke the fee that the credit cards would take out of your donation.”

Staph says: “I use PayPal, linked to my checking account. No credit card involved. I still choose to pay ActBlue a tip, but I can make it smaller while still giving ActBlue some operating funds. Your mileage may vary.”

Hermit-The-Prog says this about the cut that goes to ActBlue:
“When you give on ActBlue, there’s a 3.95% fee we pass on to the group you supported to cover processing costs. Completing a contribution involves costs related to processing your credit card. We’re legally required to pass along processing costs to the campaign so that we do not make in-kind contributions to them. As a nonprofit, we use tips from donors to pay our bills.”

https://support.actblue.com/donors/contributions/what-happens-to-my-money-when-i-donate/

Also, keep in mind that if you donate to sites like ActBlue, your information could be sold as part of a mailing list, and you could end up with a lot of spam email and texts. Just a heads-up about that.

Advice on how to donate and not get spammed:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219552708

ActBlue’s main page, where you can donate to Democratic candidates:
https://secure.actblue.com/

Omaha Steve's donation link to Democratic Underground to elect Kamala Harris:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4biden

Omaha Steve's donation link to DU for DNC ActBlue:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/dufordnc

Donate to Stop-MAGA and get up to a 900% matching donation! They donate through ActBlue. (Thanks to DallasNE for this info)
https://action.stop-maga.com/0628a3

Omaha Steve's general donation page:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218885532

Democratic Party (and Democratic Party allies) Activism

Volunteer to help elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz!
https://web.kamalaharris.com/forms/take-action-for-president-biden-and-vice-president-harris

Buy Your Harris-Walz Wearables, Yard Signs, Buttons, and other Merch here:
https://store.kamalaharris.com/

Sign up to volunteer at the Democratic National Committee's site:
https://democrats.org/
They offer online training for grassroots activism:
https://democrats.org/take-action/
(credit to usonian for this info)

Progressive Turnout Project is the largest voter contact organization in the country, specifically dedicated to mobilizing the Democratic Party and defending democracy. Our mission: rally Democrats to vote.
https://www.turnoutpac.org/

Support Vote Save America!
Vote Save America is the one-stop shop for everything you need to get informed, get involved, and get out the vote in the most important election of our lifetimes.
https://www.votesaveamerica.com

People Power For Florida
This group has already helped hundreds of college students register to vote.
https://www.peoplepowerforflorida.com/
(Thanks to RandySF for this article and info):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/104519600

Look up your state here to find many ways to help Democrats win this November!"
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/

Still stumped as to what to do to help? Here is an utter heap of things you can do to support your local Democratic candidates, thanks to Attilatheblond:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219326632

Want to help Democrats from home, no matter where you live? Send postcards! (Info and links below)

DUer Coexist says: "Part of the suggested wording for the postcards is: 'That you voted is public record. Who you voted for is private.'" This is to reassure voters who may be living with MAGAts.

Postcards to Swing States needs your help!
Research proves that writing postcards will add more than 130,000 votes, which is three times the number that decided the outcome of the 2020 election in favor of President Biden. Help if you can! Spread the word!
(Credit to Dulcinea for this info)
https://secure.everyaction.com/wWYzSycvi0uyLrKtsMnNXw2?emci=b2ebea75-f250-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&emdi=cb4d8fad-4153-ef11-991a-6045bddbfc4b&ceid=21478646

Write Postcards to Key States through TurnoutPac!
https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/
https://secure.everyaction.com/wWYzSycvi0uyLrKtsMnNXw2

Another postcards site -- Postcards to Voters (thanks to Pinback for the info):
https://postcardstovoters.org/

Yet one more postcard site, Activate America (courtesy DBoon):
https://www.activateamerica.vote/postcards

Also, you can write letters to democratic leaning voters in swing states, via Vote Forward (thanks to texasfiddler for this).
https://votefwd.org/about-us

FLIP NC --
North Carolina Democrats created FLIP NC, an all-volunteer grassroots organization, to focus on winning competitive seats in the legislature and courts, with the goal of ending gerrymandering. FLIP NC aims to convince North Carolinians to fill out the entire ballot, not just the top of the ticket.
https://flipnc.org/

Some great online resources, courtesy Attilatheblond:
"Indivisible dot Org"
"I suggest looking for state and local groups of 'Indivisible' on Facebook. Good people at many levels, all providing info and giving us FB pages to share info and encouragement. If your community does not have an Indivisible group, contact the parent group about how to form one!"
https://indivisible.org/

"My local FB 'Indivisible' pal posted a new private Facebook group for activists:
Rural Indivisibles Caucus Group. It’s for rural Indivisible leaders to share ideas, questions, and best practices for activism and engagement. Private (only members can see who's in the group and what they post). Visible (anyone can find this group).”

(Arizona) "Civic Engagement Beyond Voting is an amazing group online and on FB to determine your interests and where to best put your personal efforts. Check out the site. Find out about state and local groups."
https://www.cebv.us/

Texas Majority PAC – help turn Texas blue!
https://texasmajoritypac.com/

Women's March: Take Action To Support Reproductive Freedom!
https://www.womensmarch.com/

"White Women: Answer the Call – Show Up For Kamala Harris"
https://www.answerthecall2024.com/

White Dudes For Harris – Donate or Volunteer:
https://whitedudesforharris.com/

Cat Ladies For Kamala
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1141823957112429/

Seniors For Harris – sign up to volunteer:
https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-to-join-seniors-for-harris

Comics For Kamala
https://pages.hovercast.live/comics-for-kamala/home

Progressives For Harris
https://www.instagram.com/progressives4harris/

Elders For Kamala
https://thirdact.org/events/elders-for-kamala/

Women of Star Trek for Kamala
https://womenofstartrek.com/

Swifties For Kamala (S4K)
https://www.threads.net/@swifties4kamala?hl=en
https://x.com/swifties4kamala
https://www.instagram.com/swifties4kamala/?hl=en
ActBlue donation site: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/swifties4kamala

Musicians For Kamala
https://www.musiciansforkamala.com/

Leaders We Deserve
Founded by David Hogg and Kevin Lata, Leaders We Deserve is a grassroots organization dedicated to electing young progressives to Congress and State Legislatures across the country to help defeat the far-right agenda and advance a progressive vision for the future.
https://leaderswedeserve.com/

Voters of Tomorrow
"We are a Gen Z-led movement that engages, educates, and represents young Americans in politics and government."
https://linktr.ee/Voterstomorrow
https://www.facebook.com/voterstomorrow/
https://www.instagram.com/voterstomorrow/?hl=en

Support Democratic candidates and nominees!

Competitive U.S. Senate Races, with donation and volunteer links (updated 10/25/2024):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219607012

Omaha Steve's link to competetive Senate races (donate to 8 Democratic Senate candidates with one click):
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4bluesenate
More info here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219241901

Competitive U.S. House Races, with donation and volunteer links (updated 11/1/2024):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219639999

Omaha Steve's link to competetive House Races (donate to 27 Democratic candidates with one click):
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/du4abluehouse
More info here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219246556

Competitive State Governor Races, with donation and volunteer links (updated 10/25/2024):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219607083

10 Seats the Republicans Could Lose Because of Election Denialism
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/carl-gibson/110075/election-denialism-could-cost-these-10-gop-reps-their-seats-and-end-johnson-s-majority

(Arizona) Thanks to TurboDem for this tidbit:
Two of the justices who voted for the archaic 1864 abortion law are up for re-election in Arizona.
“I don't know if anyone has posted this info today, but for my fellow DUers in Arizona two of the justices who voted for the law are up for re-election in 2024.”

Clint Bolock and Kathryn H. King

Please remember their names on election day!
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218849843

States where reproductive rights is on the ballot:
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota.
https://19thnews.org/2023/12/abortion-states-election-2024-ballot-measures/
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/abortion-ballot-measures-2024-elections
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218829989
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219035993

(Arkansas has rejected their petition): https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219133434

(Missouri has rejected their petition):
https://democraticunderground.com/100219439000

Keep in mind the adage, "Politics is local." So, stay aware of local downticket races: county, municipal, state house and senate, etc. There are too many to list here, so keep alert and show your support for your area's Democratic candidates, and spread the word to your nearby friends and colleagues online and by word-of-mouth.

Miscellaneous Links

Tips for spotting AI-generated election misinformation and propaganda (Thanks to TheProle for this):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219078770

Everyone please get this phone number on auto before you go vote:
(202) 514-3847

This number connects to the DOJ civil rights division that handles real time reports of voter intimidation & other forms of suppression. (Courtesy Geechie)

Civil Rights violations online form:
https://civilrights.justice.gov/
(Scroll down to “Voting rights or ability to vote affected” for more info)

Texas Voting Rights Guide (thanks to RandySF):
https://www.democraticunderground.com/107869530

To report a threat against voters, threats against election officials, or election fraud:
https://tips.fbi.gov
or call 800-CALL-FBI

Image: A quote by George Takei:
“If you are turned away at the polls because your name is not on the register, don’t walk away. Say this: ‘I REQUEST A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AS REQUIRED BY LAW.’ Don’t let them steal your vote.”

What has Kamala Harris accomplished as vice-president, anyway? Some great talking points:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219214182

Image: MAGAts are heading to the polls today. Are you??

Here's a good quote by Cyrano:

"Join us. Knock on doors. Volunteer to make calls, or work at the polls. Convince anyone you know who can be convinced."

To quote new DUer Climate Crusader,

"When we work, we win. Get out the Vote efforts. Volunteer to make calls, give rides to the polls, get friends and family out, become a poll watcher.

When you vote we get a vote, but when you volunteer, you multiply that vote!!!"

As Malaise (after Kamala Harris) says, "Do something!"

Harris/Walz 2024!