HARM REDUCTION AND THE POWER OF VOTING A Guide to Help you Register and Cast your First Vote Author: Alyshia Gonzalez Contributors: Rose MacKenzie, JD Jamie Favaro
WHY SHOULD I VOTE? As Harm Reductionists, we all imagine a world where people who use drugs and engage in sex work have the ability to do so safely and without fear of judgment or criminal consequence. Voting helps us do just that. OUR VOTE IS ONE OF THE MANY TOOLS WE CAN USE TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO: naloxone safe syringe exchange safe consumption sites comprehensive healthcare reduction in arrests and incarceration for drugrelated instances
ATTITUDES AROUND DRUG USE ARE SHIFTING AND WE NEED TO CAPITALIZE ON THE MOMENT. ACCORDING TO A 2014 PEW RESEARCH STUDY: 83% of Voters across party lines agreed that the U.S. should focus on rehabilitation over incarceration for drug-related instances. 66% of Voters across party lines agreed that the U.S. should increase Harm Reduction policies including needle exchange and opioid replacement therapy.
WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIPS WITH VOTING, SOMETIMES IT'S EASY TO FEEL LIKE "MY VOTE DOESN'T MATTER." HERE ARE THE THINGS YOU ARE HELPING TO DECIDE WHEN YOU VOTE: When you vote during a presidential election, not only are you voting for a presidential candidate, but you are also voting for the person who will pick a Supreme Court Justice and lower circuit judges. Once judges are appointed, they remain in their position for life or until retirement. Your vote has the power to do that. Every 2-6 years (depending on the state you live in), your local sheriff is up for reelection. Your local sheriff along with federal prosecutors (who are appointed by the President), has the ability to decide if and how people are prosecuted for things like having drugs, having syringes, and calling for help with an overdose. Your vote has the power to help change what PWUD can be prosecuted for. When you vote for your city and state officials, you are electing the people who determine how much of your city/state budget goes toward policing, education, and healthcare. It is critical that we redistribute funding away from law enforcement and towards community investment, including harm reduction services. Your vote has the power to do that. AS HARM REDUCTIONISTS AND PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS (PWUD), WE HAVE HISTORICALLY HAD OUR VOTING RIGHTS ENDANGERED AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES TAKEN AWAY THROUGH HARMFUL POLICIES. The drug war has led to the loss of voting rights for individuals with criminal records across the country. This impacts PWUD and the recovery community. It is important to acknowledge that this stripping away of a basic right disproportionately affects people of color. Fighting for the right to restore everyone's right to vote invites all of our Harm Reduction community to participate in the civic engagement process.
WHO CAN REGISTER TO VOTE? ALL VOTERS IN NATIONAL ELECTIONS MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE ELECTION. Some states allow individuals who are 17 to vote in the primaries, provided they will be 18 when the general election takes place in November of an election year.
YOU MUST MEET YOUR STATE’S RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT AND HAVE A MAILING ADDRESS IN ORDER TO VOTE. People experiencing houselessness have the right to vote in all 50 states It is recommended houseless registrants list a shelter address as their voting address where they could receive mail. Alternatively, houseless registrants may denote a street corner or a park as their residence, in lieu of a traditional home address. The federal voter registration form and many state forms provide a space for this purpose. Most states have some duration of residency requirements for voter registration – for example, having resided for 30 days or more before the Election Day in the state or county. Contact your local elections officials to find out what the rules are in your state.
YOU MUST BE A UNITED STATES CITIZEN TO VOTE IN ANY ELECTION. You cannot vote in an election if you are a DREAMER or have DACA status You cannot vote in an election if you have a social security number strictly for working purposes. You must be a citizen. If you are unsure of your documentation or status in any way, please do not register to vote until you are 100% sure of your status. Registering to vote as an undocumented person in the US is considered against the law and may hinder your ability to become a citizen in the future.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY, YOU MAY STILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE. The laws around voting after a conviction vary widely from state to state, you can find info for your specific state here, but depending on your state, you may have: never lost the right to vote lost it only while incarcerated had your right to vote automatically restored after release and/or after completion of your sentence (parole and/or probation) In some states, however, you may have a postsentencing waiting period or have to take additional action to be able to register to vote. If you are unsure about the status of your case or still have unpaid fees in relation to your sentence (parole and/or probation) do not register to vote until you speak to an election official in your jurisdiction.
NATIONAL VOTING RIGHTS YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: Cast a ballot if you are a valid registered voter Cast a provisional ballot if your name is not listed on the voting rolls Request a new ballot if you think you made a mistake before dropping it in the ballot box Cast a ballot if you are in line at a polling place by 8pm on election day Receive election material in another language Return a completed vote-by-mail ballot to any precinct in the county Ask questions about election procedures and watch the voting process Report any suspected fraudulent activity to an elections official or to the Secretary of State’s Office.
HELP FOR FIRST-TIME VOTERS Individuals may feel a bit nervous the first time they step into the polling station, but federal law allows trained poll workers to offer extra assistance with voting machines to these voters. Voters are also allowed to ask for help if their polling station has installed new equipment since the last time they went to the polls.
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE According to federal provisions, individuals who are visually impaired, unable to read or write, or affected by another disability are allowed to bring someone to provide assistance while casting their vote. Your polling place may also have car-side accommodations available.
EXPERIENCING A VOTING RIGHTS VIOLATION Unfortunately, voter intimidation does happen although it is prohibited under federal law. Federal law states that “no person . . . shall intimidate, threaten, coerce . . . any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of [that] person to vote or to vote as he may choose.” Some examples of voter intimidation could be: aggressively questioning a voter about citizenship or status, discriminatory challenges to voter eligibility, falsely presenting as an elections official and spreading false information, shouting abusive language, being followed and improperly photographed or recorded, blocking the entrance to a polling place, disrupting voting lines, taunting other voters or election workers
IF YOU HAVE BEEN KEPT FROM CASTING YOUR BALLOT OR EXPERIENCED VOTER INTIMIDATION, PLEASE CONTACT THESE RESOURCES TO REPORT THE VIOLATION: Election Protection hotline (led by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law): 866-OUR-VOTE
Hotline led by APIAVote and Asian Americans Advancing Justice: 888-API-VOTE
Report intimidation to county poll workers, the county clerk, elections officials, local and state officials, or the state board of elections. Their offices will be open on Election Day.
The Arab American Institute Yalla Vote Hotline: 844-418-1682
Find your local election office here: https://www.usa.gov/election-office
Justice Department Voting Rights Hotline: 800-253-3931 Justice Department Civil Rights Division: voting.section@usdoj.gov
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund: 888-Ve-Y-Vota
STATE-SPECIFIC VOTING RIGHTS VOTER IDENTIFICATION
CLOSED V. OPEN PRIMARIES
As of 2016, 33 states had laws requiring some type of identification:
Although primaries vary widely between closed and open voting — each type relates to whether or not voters unaffiliated with a party can vote. While closed primaries don't allow unaffiliated voters to vote for partisan candidates, open primaries will accept votes for either candidate from those who aren't registered with a specific party. Check your state's primary designation with the National Conference of State Legislators.
State Driver's License ID card issued by state DMV Your Voter ID Card with Photo Federal Military ID US Passport to be shown on election day Individuals planning to cast a ballot should research the rules of their state here: http://bit.ly/VotebyState To start the process of getting an ID, visit: https://www.dmv.com/apply-id-card
EARLY VOTING This method of voting was developed to provide voters with every opportunity to make their voice heard, even if they are out of town or unable to show up to the polls on election day. Most states have rules in place about early voting, including approved locations and set dates. These can be found by contacting a local voting official or viewing a complete list provided by Vote.org.
6 STEPS TO VOTING STEP 1: REGISTER TO VOTE Voter registration is not federally managed, meaning states and territories have unique requirements. Most states allow residents to register online, in person, or via a paper form, provided they are qualified to vote and meet the registration deadline. If a voter knows they won't be in their state at the time of an election, they can fill out the Federal Postcard Application for absentee voting. Register to vote at Vote.gov.
STEP 3: KNOW THE ISSUES Learn about the issues candidates care about that are on the ballot during the election. Be it a presidential or city council election, candidates almost always share the vision for their time in office on their website, which is known as their "platform." Voters should review this information and consider how it aligns with their personal beliefs about how the government should function.
STEP 5: FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE State election offices assign polling locations based on a voter's address. If you aren't sure where to go, contact your election office. Information about state and local election offices can be found via the search tool on USA.gov.
STEP 2: RESEARCH POLITICAL PARTIES AND CANDIDATES Being an informed voter allows individuals to select candidates based on their stated platforms without relying on party propaganda or media coverage. By researching parties and candidates, informed voters are able to make knowledgable decisions about who their votes support. The American Association of State Colleges and Universities offers a comprehensive guide to becoming an informed voter here: http://bit.ly/AASCUVote
STEP 4: CHECK STATE RULES AND REGULATIONS Most voting stations are open at least 12 hours on election day. Although only 35 states currently require voters to show a photo ID, first-time voters who registered by mail have other requirements. According to federal law, individuals who have not voted previously must bring a valid photo ID or a bill, pay stub, or government document showing their name and current address.
STEP 6: CAST YOUR BALLOT States now use electronic voting systems, either optical scanning or touch screens on election day. Gizmodo provides a list of states and the type of machines used by each so first-time voters can feel confident and knowledgable: http://bit.ly/VoteTech Voters may not have to vote for every office on the ballot and are also allowed to write-in if the candidate of their choosing is not on the official ballot.
TYPES OF VOTING VOTING BY MAIL There are two types of voting by mail: Early Voting and Absentee Voting. In the midst of COVID-19, it is highly recommended that you register to vote by mail. Not only will you help reduce exposure for yourself and others, but you will also save time going to the polls and will be able to vote from the safety and comfort of your couch!
ABSENTEE VOTING All 50 states currently allow residents to vote absentee, though 20 require voters to provide an excuse of why they can’t show up on election day. These are often due earlier than the actual election day, so it’s important to check the due date with your local election commission. The Federal Voting Assistance Program provides a range of information for citizens planning to vote absentee.
EARLY VOTING CHANGING RESIDENCY TO VOTE Residents who aren’t going to be near their local polling station have the option to vote early in 27 states. Early voting dates are set by each state, so those with this option available to them should check with the local election commission Vote.org lists the dates for every state offering this type of voting.
Many college students, people who are visiting a state for an extended period, and people who may have temporarily moved due to COVID-19 may be confused about where to vote and if they should use their previous or current address for voter registration. This is mandated on the state level, so voters should check with both their home state and the state where their school/temporary address is located for clarification.
RESOURCES IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING HOUSELESSNESS OR TRANSITION: You Don't Need a Home to Vote Project: http://bit.ly/YDNAHTVP 2018 Houseless Voting Rights Manual: http://bit.ly/HVRManual
IF YOU IDENTIFY AS BIPOC: Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote: APIA encourages Americans of Asian or Pacific Islander heritage and offers resources to help them be informed and confident voters. www.apiavote.org The National Coalition of Black Civic Participation: With a mission to ensure every Black American takes part in the democratic process, this organization provides a wealth of information about voting and civic participation. www.ncbcp.org National Commission on Voting Rights: NCVR is committed to protecting voter rights and ensuring every eligible voter understands their eligibility. http://votingrightstoday.org Voto Latino: By engaging with the Latinx voting population, Voto Latino hopes to ensure more members of the Latinx community at the polls and fully understand the issues important to them. https://votolatino.org
IF YOU ARE A YOUTH VOTER: The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement: This organization focuses on engaging youth voters in the election process and provides up-to-date research on relevant topics. https://circle.tufts.edu Pew Research Center — Young Voters: PEW completed an in-depth research study on the habits of young voters in the 2008 election, including breakdowns on age, gender, ethnicity and educational levels. http://bit.ly/PEWyouth Project Vote — Youth Voting: Youth looking to learn more about how to get involved in elections can review the range of resources available on Project Vote's website. http://bit.ly/ProjectVOTE Rock the Vote: Rock the Vote focuses on harnessing energy for the election process in the Millennial generation and provides a range of helpful information for young voters. www.rockthevote.org Youth Vote: This organization emphasizes issues important to youth voters and encourages their engagement in making a difference via the political process. http://youthvote.org/about-youthvote-org
IF YOU IDENTIFY AS HAVING A DISABILITY: American Association of People with Disabilities: The AAPD hosts the Disability Vote Project, an initiative to ensure Americans with disabilities are able to engage in the political process. www.aapd.com/advocacy/voting/ Disability & Voter Turnout: Rutgers' School of Management and Labor Relations compiled a list of resources chronicling how many voters with disabilities have voted in previous elections. https://smlr.rutgers.edu/content/disability-and-voter-turnout National Disability Rights Network: This organization provides information for both youth and adult voters with disabilities looking for resources for upcoming elections. www.ndrn.org/voting Resources for Voters with Disabilities: The Election Assistance Commission provides links to resources and websites designed to make the voting process run more smoothly for those with disabilities. http://bit.ly/EACommission Understanding Voting Rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act: Individuals who want to learn how this act and other laws protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities can review this document provided by the U.S. Dept. of Justice. www.ada.gov/ada_voting/ada_voting_ta.htm