FAQs for Voters
Common Questions & Answers for Voters
Common Questions & Answers for Voters
-How do I know if I am eligible to vote in the election?
-How do I know if I am eligible to vote in the election?
You have to be a US citizen >= 18 yrs old on the election day, and registered to vote, to be able to vote. Find out more about voter registration on our website.
You have to be a US citizen >= 18 yrs old on the election day, and registered to vote, to be able to vote. Find out more about voter registration on our website.
-Can I register online as voters?
-Can I register online as voters?
This depends on your state voter registration requirement. Find out more about voter registration on our page.
This depends on your state voter registration requirement. Find out more about voter registration on our page.
-Can I vote online as a voter?
-Can I vote online as a voter?
Currently online voting is restricted in America. Most states require in-person voting or mail-in-ballot. You have to either go to the polling places in person or apply for a Vote By Mail in order to cast your vote.
Currently online voting is restricted in America. Most states require in-person voting or mail-in-ballot. You have to either go to the polling places in person or apply for a Vote By Mail in order to cast your vote.
-Will the government know who I voted for? Do they have record of how I voted?
-Will the government know who I voted for? Do they have record of how I voted?
Who you voted for is completely protected as part of your voter privacy and is not known to anyone except yourself. You can feel free to vote for the candidates you choose without fear of being punished or recorded.
Who you voted for is completely protected as part of your voter privacy and is not known to anyone except yourself. You can feel free to vote for the candidates you choose without fear of being punished or recorded.
Whether you have voted or not in a particular election, which election you have voted, is part of the voter record. This does NOT include WHO you have voted for.
Whether you have voted or not in a particular election, which election you have voted, is part of the voter record. This does NOT include WHO you have voted for.
-Will I loose my voting status if I haven't voted for a while?
-Will I loose my voting status if I haven't voted for a while?
In some states, if you have not voted consecutively for multiple elections, your voter registration status may be put on hold or under suspension (depending on each state regulations). It is better to participate in the elections frequently to maintain a solid voter record. For requirement of a particular state, please check with the Secretary of State office or your local election office to find out more.
In some states, if you have not voted consecutively for multiple elections, your voter registration status may be put on hold or under suspension (depending on each state regulations). It is better to participate in the elections frequently to maintain a solid voter record. For requirement of a particular state, please check with the Secretary of State office or your local election office to find out more.
-Do I need to register to vote every year? What happen if I moved to a different address, or changed my name, or marital status, or other personal status etc?
-Do I need to register to vote every year? What happen if I moved to a different address, or changed my name, or marital status, or other personal status etc?
You only need to register to vote once, not every year. However, if you moved to a different state, changed your ID (such as your address or name), in general, you are required to re-register to vote. Different county and state may have different requirements. Our "Voter Registration" and "Voter ID Law" pages may have links that can be a helpful start. Please always check with your local county election office, or Secretary of State, for updated information.
You only need to register to vote once, not every year. However, if you moved to a different state, changed your ID (such as your address or name), in general, you are required to re-register to vote. Different county and state may have different requirements. Our "Voter Registration" and "Voter ID Law" pages may have links that can be a helpful start. Please always check with your local county election office, or Secretary of State, for updated information.
-Can I vote for xxxx (who and who) in this election? How do I know if I can vote for him/her?
-Can I vote for xxxx (who and who) in this election? How do I know if I can vote for him/her?
Whether the candidate's name will appear on your ballot depends on if you live in the district where the candidate runs for the position. Districts vary greatly depending on if it is a federal level, state or local level. You can find "Who Represents Me" to see if you can vote for a particular candidate.
Whether the candidate's name will appear on your ballot depends on if you live in the district where the candidate runs for the position. Districts vary greatly depending on if it is a federal level, state or local level. You can find "Who Represents Me" to see if you can vote for a particular candidate.
-I can't remember who to vote for in the long ballot. Can I bring my phone inside the polling place with a screen shot?
-I can't remember who to vote for in the long ballot. Can I bring my phone inside the polling place with a screen shot?
It would be the best if you print the sample ballot or the list of candidates on a piece of paper ahead of time to bring it inside the polling place. Some counties and states restrict bringing electronics inside the polling places. So do your homework ahead of time, and bring a paper copy instead.
It would be the best if you print the sample ballot or the list of candidates on a piece of paper ahead of time to bring it inside the polling place. Some counties and states restrict bringing electronics inside the polling places. So do your homework ahead of time, and bring a paper copy instead.
-How can I find who are on my ballot, the list of the candidates and positions, who they are and who to vote for?
-How can I find who are on my ballot, the list of the candidates and positions, who they are and who to vote for?
The sample ballot from your local county election office website, or from your local county political parties, such as the Democratic or Republican parties websites/Facebook should have the information. You can also search for a voter guide, as we have referenced on our Voter Guide page. Also, you can find out who are already representing you as the current elected officials from our "Who Represent Me" page.
The sample ballot from your local county election office website, or from your local county political parties, such as the Democratic or Republican parties websites/Facebook should have the information. You can also search for a voter guide, as we have referenced on our Voter Guide page. Also, you can find out who are already representing you as the current elected officials from our "Who Represent Me" page.
Major political organizations, media outlets and grassroots advocacy groups also publish endorsed candidate lists. These are the organizations which are experienced in interviewing and researching candidates, screening through their background and qualifications, and provide recommended candidate lists. They also provide reference guides you can use. Read our Voter Guide page for how to research about candidates and vote based on their qualifications.
Major political organizations, media outlets and grassroots advocacy groups also publish endorsed candidate lists. These are the organizations which are experienced in interviewing and researching candidates, screening through their background and qualifications, and provide recommended candidate lists. They also provide reference guides you can use. Read our Voter Guide page for how to research about candidates and vote based on their qualifications.
-Where can I find the election results?
-Where can I find the election results?
Your county election office and Secretary of State office will post the election results online. Other popular political websites, such as Politico.com, CNN Politics, and major news media outlets in your local city, will post these election results online as well.
Your county election office and Secretary of State office will post the election results online. Other popular political websites, such as Politico.com, CNN Politics, and major news media outlets in your local city, will post these election results online as well.
-I suspect someone voted in a fraud, how can I report the person?
-I suspect someone voted in a fraud, how can I report the person?
Best way to do, is to contact the county election office where the person may have voted, and report the incident promptly.
Best way to do, is to contact the county election office where the person may have voted, and report the incident promptly.
-I was not able to vote, because the polling center was closed unexpectedly (or people there are being intimidating). How should I report the incident?
-I was not able to vote, because the polling center was closed unexpectedly (or people there are being intimidating). How should I report the incident?
File a complain with your county election office, election judges who work at the center, and other watchdog groups in the area. You can also file a complain with the county political parties to let them know. There may be other grassroots organization working in your local area who can assist you.
File a complain with your county election office, election judges who work at the center, and other watchdog groups in the area. You can also file a complain with the county political parties to let them know. There may be other grassroots organization working in your local area who can assist you.
Other questions? Contact us info@gocava.org or post online in your local voter community, such as civic clubs, and political parties, to get an answer.
Other questions? Contact us info@gocava.org or post online in your local voter community, such as civic clubs, and political parties, to get an answer.