Voting can be a very confusing process, especially if it's your first time. So here are a few things you should know before hitting the polls.
1. Register to vote!
Your vote matters. Complete the voter registration form and send it in. If you haven't sent it in yet, you will not be able to vote in the primaries considering you are required to register 30 days prior. But, you will definitely be able to vote in the general election so do it!
2. Look up your personalized ballot.
Look up a personalized ballot by simply inputting your address. The ballot will show you the candidates in your district. Often times it will also separate them by party. Primaries are not just about voting for a governor. Do not walk into a ballot randomly circling things.
3. Research your candidates.
Advertisements are not research. They are done in favor of the candidate and are completely bias. Look up the candidates on your own and choose the one you believe fits more with your beliefs. Dig deep. Don't just believe what the candidate tells you but rather what they have done. Actions speak louder than words.
4. Have a plan B.
Unfortunately, our candidates don't always win in the primary elections but that's okay because we still have general elections. Do not have your heart set on one individual and then decide not to vote if they lose. Your vote matters.
5. Don't shut the door on canvassers!
Canvassers are people that will go through the streets knocking on your doors, looking to talk to you about politics. Dont shut the door. Listen to what they have to say. If you dont agree then simply let them know you are not interested.
6. Find your polling station.
Everyone has a specific polling station. Make sure to look yours up prior to the election day. Once you know where it is look up the rules and times.
7. Take snacks!
Make sure to take snacks. You never truly know how long the line is gonna be until you get there.
8. Engage with the crowd.
There are many volunteers that set up stations by the polls. Engage with the people around you. Don't be afraid to talk to others. Get to know the people in your community.
9. Don't take your vote for granted!
Voting is our right but we should not take it for granted. Our vote makes a difference so we need to make sure that we understand what our vision is before we walk into a polling station.
10. Always (ALWAYS) vote!
Voting is not just a once in a lifetime opportunity. Please keep yourself updated on any elections coming up. Local and federal voting may have a different value of importance to you but at the end of the day, every vote counts. So get out there and let your voice be heard!
Congratulations on finally having a voice in our democracy. There are many ways to be heard and voting is definitely at the top of the list.
Kupiga kura kunaweza kuwa mchakato wenye kutatanisha sana, hasa ikiwa ni mara yako ya kwanza. Hapa ni mambo machache ambayo unapaswa kujua kabla ya kupiga kura. 1. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Jiandikishe kupiga kura! Kura yako ni muhimu. Jaza fomu ya usajili wa wapiga kura na uitumie. Ikiwa bado haujapeleka, huwezi kupiga kura katika uchaguzi wa msingi kwa kuzingatia kwamba unahitaji kujiandikisha siku 30 kabla. Lakini, kwa hakika utaweza kupiga kura katika uchaguzi mkuu kwa hiyo fanya hivyo! 2. Uwezekano wa kupata Angalia kura yako ya kibinafsi. Tafuta kura ya kibinafsi kwa kuingiza tu anwani yako. Sura ya kura itakuonyesha wagombea katika wilaya yako. Mara nyingi pia itawatenganisha kwa chama. Uchaguzi wa awali si tu kuhusu kupiga kura kwa gavana. Usiingie katika kura kwa kuzunguka vitu kwa nasibu. 3. Uwe na mtazamo wa kweli Chunguza wagombea wako. Matangazo ya biashara si utafiti. Zimefanywa kwa niaba ya mgombea na ni za upendeleo kabisa. Tafuta wagombea peke yako na uchague yule unayeamini analingana zaidi na imani yako. Chimba ndani sana. Usiamini tu kile mgombea anakuambia lakini badala yake kile wamefanya. Matendo husema zaidi ya maneno. 4. Uwe na uhakika Kuwa na mpango B. Kwa bahati mbaya, wagombea wetu hawawezi kushinda katika uchaguzi wa msingi, lakini hiyo ni sawa kwa sababu bado tuna uchaguzi mkuu. Usiweke moyo wako juu ya mtu mmoja na kisha uamue kutopiga kura ikiwa watapoteza. Kura yako ni muhimu. 5. Uwe na mtazamo mzuri. Usiwafungie mlango wapiga-mashabiki! Wanasayansi wa habari ni watu ambao huenda barabarani na kubisha milango yako, wakitafuta kuzungumza na wewe kuhusu siasa. Usifungue mlango. Sikiliza wanayosema. Kama wewe si kukubali basi tu kuwaambia wewe si nia. 6. Uwe na uhakika Tafuta kituo chako cha kupiga kura. Kila mtu ana kituo maalum cha kupiga kura. Hakikisha kuangalia yako juu kabla ya siku ya uchaguzi. Mara tu unapopata mahali pa kufanya hivyo, tafuta sheria na nyakati. 7. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Chukua vitafunio! Hakikisha unabeba vitafunio. Huwezi kamwe kujua kwa kweli mstari utakuwa mrefu kadiri gani mpaka ufikie hapo. 8. Uwe na mtazamo gani? Shirikiana na umati wa watu. Kuna wajitoleaji wengi ambao huweka vituo karibu na kura. Shirikiana na watu wanaokuzunguka. Usiogope kuzungumza na wengine. Jifunze kuhusu watu wa jamii yako. 9. (a) Kwa nini? Usiichukulie kura yako kuwa ya kawaida! Kupiga kura ni haki yetu lakini hatupaswi kuiona kuwa ya kawaida. """Voti yetu inafanya tofauti, kwa hivyo tunahitaji kuhakikisha kuwa tunaelewa nini maono yetu kabla hatujaingia kwenye kituo cha kupiga kura." Kumi. Sikuzote (Kila Wakati) Piga Kura! Kupiga kura si fursa ya mara moja tu maishani. Tafadhali endelea kujulisha juu ya uchaguzi wowote unaokuja. """Vote za serikali za mitaa na za shirikisho zinaweza kuwa na thamani tofauti ya umuhimu kwako, lakini mwisho wa siku, kila kura inahesabiwa." Kwa hiyo nenda huko na ujulishe! Asanteni kwa hatimaye kuwa na sauti katika demokrasia yetu. Kuna njia nyingi za kusikilizwa na kupiga kura ni dhahiri juu ya orodha.