How to Vote: A Field Guide for Prophetic Citizenship
"Voting is not the end of our political work, but it is a crucial act of neighbor-love. When we vote for policies that protect the vulnerable, feed the hungry, and heal the land, we are engaging in a spiritual discipline."
— Paradise Folk School teaching
Be Election Ready: Video Walkthrough
Watch this short video series before you register or vote. It walks through the mechanics of registering, finding your polling place, and voting by mail — neutral, practical, and to the point.
A resource from beyond our school: This video was not created by Paradise Folk School, but we offer it as a helpful companion. Use it alongside our written guide. Knowing how to vote is how we put neighbor-love into practice.
1 Register to Vote
You must be registered before you can cast a ballot. Every state manages its own voter rolls, so your deadline and process depend on where you live.
Register Online
Visit https://vote.gov/
- Click Register to vote.
- Select your state or territory from the dropdown menu.
- You'll be directed to your state's official registration portal. Depending on your state, you can register online, by mail, or in person at your local election office.
Other ways to register:
- By Mail: Download the National Mail Voter Registration Form from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Fill it out, sign it, and mail it to the address listed for your state.
- In Person at DMV: Register in person at your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Under the National Voter Registration Act (often called the "Motor Voter" law), DMV offices and other public service agencies are required to offer voter registration opportunities.
- Other Locations: You can also register at armed forces recruitment centers, public assistance offices (SNAP/food stamps), and many public libraries.
Already registered Confirm your status.
If you've moved, changed your name, or haven't voted in a while, your registration may need updating. Visit https://vote.gov/ to check your current registration status.
Deadlines vary.
Some states allow same-day registration on Election Day itself; others require you to be registered up to 30 days in advance. Check your state's specific deadline well before Election Day.
2 Decide How You'll Vote
You have three pathways. Pick the one that works for your life.
Option A: Vote in Person on Election Day
- Find your assigned polling place or vote center and its hours of operation. Most states let you look this up online through your state's election portal.
- Make a plan: What time will you go How will you get there Do you need time off work
- Check what ID or documents your state requires you to bring. Some states require photo ID; others do not. First-time voters may need to show proof of residence.
Option B: Vote Early (In Person)
- Most states offer in-person early voting at designated locations during a window before Election Day.
- Early voting sites may differ from your regular polling place—verify the location and hours.
- Same ID requirements usually apply.
Option C: Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot)
- Many states allow any registered voter to request a mail ballot; some states require a specific reason.
- You must request your mail ballot before your state's deadline—often 7 to 14 days before Election Day.
- Once you receive your ballot, follow the instructions exactly. Sign where required. Return it by mail or at a designated drop-box by the deadline.
- Some states offer permanent absentee lists. You can sign up once and automatically receive mail ballots for all future elections.
Track your ballot.
Many states provide online ballot tracking tools so you can confirm your mail ballot was received and counted.
3 Know Your Rights on Election Day
The ACLU and the nonpartisan Election Protection coalition maintain these core rights for every voter:
If the polls close while you're still in line, stay in line. You have the right to vote.
If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one. Poll workers must provide a replacement.
If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot. You do not have to use a broken machine.
If a poll worker says your name is not in the poll book, you are entitled to a provisional ballot. After Election Day, election officials must investigate whether you are qualified and registered; if so, your ballot will be counted.
You have the right to vote free from intimidation. It is illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, or harass you at the polls.
You may bring someone to assist you if you need language help or have a disability. You also have the right to accessible voting equipment and language assistance materials.
You may bring written materials (notes, a voter guide, a sample ballot) into the voting booth to help you make your choices.
If you encounter any problem, call or text the Election Protection Hotline:
English
1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)
Spanish/English
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
Asian Languages/English
1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683)
Arabic/English
1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
These are nonpartisan hotlines staffed by trained volunteers who can answer questions about registration, absentee ballots, polling locations, and your rights at every stage of the voting process.
4 Prepare Your Ballot
Don't walk into the voting booth uninformed. Your ballot is a tool of political ministry.
Research what's on your ballot in advance.
Use the League of Women Voters' nonpartisan guide at VOTE411.org to see every race and ballot measure you'll be voting on, along with candidate responses to issue questionnaires.
Look up candidate positions, voting records, and endorsements. Evaluate every candidate and measure against the Common Charter:
- Does this candidate support the rights listed in Article II (healthcare, housing, food, education, clean energy, transit)
- Does this policy advance Article III (eco-socialism) and Article IV (Paradise Commons)
- Does this measure promote Article VI (Radical Inclusion)
- Are the funding mechanisms transparent (Article VIII)
You are permitted to bring your notes, a sample ballot, or a voter guide into the voting booth with you.
Don't skip the "down-ballot" races.
City council, school board, county commission, judgeships, and ballot initiatives often have a more direct impact on your daily life than the presidency. These are the offices that control zoning, policing budgets, school lunch programs, and local transit. Many of the exact issues our Charter addresses.
Why Midterm Elections Matter
Presidential elections draw the most attention, but midterm elections (held every two years, halfway through a president's term) determine which party controls Congress, state legislatures, and governor's mansions. These bodies write the laws on housing, healthcare, wages, and climate.
In many states, midterm turnout is dramatically lower than presidential turnout. Meaning a relatively small number of voters decide the direction of policy for years. Our movement treats every election—local, midterm, and presidential—as an opportunity to legislate paradise into existence (Article XIII).
Bringing Notes to the Voting Booth
You are permitted to bring written materials into the voting booth to help you make your choices. Here's what you need to know:
General Guidelines
Most states explicitly permit voters to bring printed materials to help them vote. These can include:
- Personal notes or a "cheat sheet"
- A voter guide that provides background on candidates and ballot measures
- A sample ballot (official or unofficial) to use as a reference
The most important rule is that your notes must be your own and not intended to disrupt the voting process.
Know Your State's Specific Laws
While the general rule is that notes are allowed, state laws can vary. It's always best to check with your local election office for the most accurate information.
Here is a brief look at how some states address this:
Florida:
State law takes a stricter stance, making it unlawful to carry into a voting booth any "paper, or memorandum which might be used to affect adversely the normal election process". Because of this broad language, it's safer not to bring written notes into a Florida voting booth.
North Carolina:
You are allowed to bring voting guides, notes, and other materials into the booth. You may also use your phone to access candidate information, but you cannot use it to call, text, email, or photograph your ballot.
Oklahoma:
State law permits you to bring personal notes to assist you, but these notes must remain concealed at all other times while you are inside the election enclosure (e.g., in line).
Pro-Tips for Using Notes
- Prefer paper to phone: Some polling places restrict cell phone use, so bringing paper notes is the safest and most reliable option.
- Discreet is best: Even if allowed, be mindful and try to keep your notes out of sight when not in use to avoid drawing attention and potential questions from poll workers.
- Leave the campaign material outside: Do not leave any campaign literature, your notes, or your cheat sheet behind in the voting booth.
- A completed ballot is a no-go: You cannot bring a pre-marked ballot into the booth; you must complete a fresh one given to you by poll workers.
Official Resources
Charter Connection
This guide directly supports Article VII — Political Witness as Prophetic Preaching, voting is a form of our field ministry, a public act of neighbor-love through which we advance the rights enumerated in Article II and the eco-socialist vision of Article III.
It also serves Article XI — Lifelong Learning by equipping members with the civic literacy needed to govern. Under Article VIII, we evaluate every candidate and measure by its funding transparency.
When we vote, we do not merely participate in a system. We reshape it toward paradise.
The "Be Election Ready" Video Series
Here are the direct links to all six short, practical videos from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission:
Watch all videos in order on our playlist:
View Full PlaylistOr visit the EAC's main channel: @u.s.electionassistancecomm2110