It's election season! On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, important national, state, and local elections will take place. All U.S. citizens aged 18 and older have the right to vote.
To cast a ballot in elections, adult citizens must register as voters. During an election year, like this one, the deadline to register to vote in most states is no later than November 1st. In Indiana, you must have registered to vote at least 29 days before election day, A few states allow same-day voter registration. Visit the Rock the Vote website to find out if your state offers this option and what the specific requirements are.
Legally, voting sites and voting options must be accessible to people with different disabilities. This includes the building, voting booths, machines, and access to voting options for those with vision, mobility, and reading disabilities. The US Election Assistance Commission provides information about accessible voting. After clicking on the US Election Assistance link above, select Voting Accessibility and then scroll down to the Voters section for more information.
Once registered, voters cast ballots at their designated precinct or polling place. Students should create a voting plan, research candidates and issues, and be cautious of misinformation, particularly online. The internet and social media can be valuable resources for informed voting, but students should learn how to critically evaluate the information.
To help young adults stay informed, we've compiled a list of helpful resources. Some of these links will take you to social media platforms, where you can find engaging content about voting. Keep in mind that not all TikTok videos offer closed captions.
- Vote.gov
- Hoosiers Vote
- Indiana Vote 411
- ACLU Know Your Voting Rights
- The News Girl Video Guide on TikTok: What do I need to do to vote?
- Step By Step Video Guide on TikTok: When you go to vote
- When We All Vote: Nonpartisan Initiative on Instagram
- National Voter Education Week: Nonprofit Organization on Instagram
- Vote.org: Nonpartisan Voting Registration Information on Instagram
- Voting with a Disability: Autism Self Advocate Network on YouTube
- Know Your Rights at the Polls: Indiana Disability Rights on YouTube
- Meet Vote E-E: a Discord AI Chatbot
Bonus Tips:
October is packed with learning opportunities. Join the third webinar of our fall series:
- Portfolios and Profiles: Portals to Competitive, Integrated Employment (CIE)
This session will take place on Thursday, October 17 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. To register, visit the INSTRC Training and Technical Assistance webpage.
The Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) kicks off in Batesville, Indiana Friday, October 25. Help us spread the word! Share this free learning opportunity with families, students, and colleagues. To register for this and other events, visit the CCLC FEAT webpage.