2006 Press Releases

September 6, 2006

Seven Simple Steps to Voting in 2006-Click Your Way to Election Day

WASHINGTON, DC -- Eligible voters across the United States can click their way to a worry-free Election Day this year thanks to a Web site that provides all of the information voters need to cast their ballots in 2006. Voters who log on to www.canivote.org will find a step-by-step guide to voting and an abundance of voter resources, including links to online voter registration lookup tools and polling place locators and an interactive directory of election officials.


The Can I Vote? site was created by the National Association of Secretaries of State to help make voting easy by outlining seven simple steps for voters to follow:


STEP ONE: Find out if You’re Registered. Most states stop registering voters in October so that they have time to process the applications before Election Day. If you haven’t registered to vote yet, contact your local election official to register today. Even if you think you’ve already registered, it’s a good idea to check to make sure your records are up-todate. Check www.canivote.org for a list of states that offer online voter registration lookup tools.


STEP TWO: Locate your Polling Place. Next, you'll need to know where to go to cast your ballot. Many states, counties and cities offer online services that match your address to the correct voting location. You’ll find links to polling place locators on www.canivote.org. Your local election official can also tell you where to find your polling place.


STEP THREE: Know What Kind of ID is Required. The states' identification requirements for voters often differ from state-to-state, but don't worry. You don't have to know what every state's requirement is -- you just need to know what kind of ID your home state will accept. Contact your local election official or visit www.canivote.org for more information.


STEP FOUR: Save the Date. It may be too late to vote in your state’s primary or caucus – 37 states will have held their primaries by September 6, and 10 more states will hold their primaries on September 12. But be sure to mark your calendar so you don't forget to vote in the general election. This year, elections will be held on Tuesday, November 7. Visit www.canivote.org to find out when your local polling place will be open.


STEP FIVE: Learn about the Candidates. You can prepare for Election Day by finding out who's running for office before you go to the voting booth. Contact your local election official to find out who will be on the ballot and look for stories about the campaign in your local newspaper or on your local television or radio station.


STEP SIX: Be a Poll Worker. If you're planning to go to the polls on Election Day, why not consider being a poll worker? Every state needs people to work at the polls, and in most states you can actually get paid for serving.


STEP SEVEN: Vote! Don't miss your opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Remind your friends and family to vote, too. In fact, you may even want to round up the eligible voters you know and take them to the polls with you on Election Day.


But most importantly, VOTE!


For more information, please visit www.canivote.org – the only site of its kind to be endorsed by all of the nation’s chief state election officials.
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