25 Resolutions For The Political Pundit In You

2016 is a big year in politics — or have you not seen Donald Trump, everywhere, all the time? It's easy to get overwhelmed at the polling stations but every election is an important election. Here are 25 ways you can resolve to make your vote heard this year. 

1. Check your voter registration to make sure it’s current.
2. Renew your voter registration if it isn’t current.
3. Check your state’s primary date and put it in your calendar.
4. Put the date of the general election in your calendar (November 8).
5. Share the dates with other people so they put them in their calendars.
6. Find out your polling place and note the address.
7. Check into early voting and voting by mail if that’s easier than getting to the polls on primary day and general election day.
8. Look up voter ID laws for your state.
9. Offer to help other people acquire proper ID before the election so they can vote.
10. Check with your boss to find out what workplace policies are for getting time off to vote.
11. Check state laws regarding employers giving employees time off to vote.
12. Remind other people what their rights are for getting time off to vote.
13. Check to see if your kids will have school on primary and general election days.
14. Figure out childcare for election days.
15. Check in with other people and see if they’ll need help with childcare on election days.
16. Check in with other people and find out if they need rides to the polls on election days.
17. If you have a disability and require assistance at the polls, find out what services are available.
18. Share information about assistance at the polls with other people.
19. If you have the time to do so, volunteer to be a poll worker (this could be especially important if you speak a second language!).
20. If your state needs election judges to monitor polling places, volunteer to do that.
21. Get a sample ballot so you know what various offices, ballot measures, and referenda are up for consideration (If you don’t get one in the mail automatically, you can find them at local libraries).
22. Read up on all the candidates in national, state, and local elections (Google can help you find candidates for your state.)
23. Read up on all referenda and ballot measures for state and local elections.
24. Talk to people in your community about direct experience they’ve had with candidates, policies, and programs that will be pertinent in the election.
25. VOTE!!!!!