November 6, 2018 Election Breakdown
What are our restaurants doing to promote Voters getting out the Polls?
Island Creek Oyster Bar
If you’re still coasting on that Red Sox World Series high, here’s another reason to hang out in Kenmore Square: If you display your “I Voted” sticker at Island Creek Oyster Bar, you’ll earn yourself a complimentary Crispy Oyster Slider.
Island Creek Oyster Bar, 500 Comm. Ave., 617-532-5300, islandcreekoysterbar.com.
Row 34
There are ample opportunities for free oysters on Election Day this year, because nothing says mid-terms like a raw bar. Head to Row 34 in Fort Point with your “I Voted” sticker and the staff will give you two free oysters.
Row 34, 383 Congress St., Boston, 617-553-5900, row34.com.
BostonMagazine.com: Power through the Midterms with Boston-Area Election Night Specials.
What’s on your ballot and where do candidates stand on issues?
Understanding Voting Rights
Voting Rights
We have the freedom to choose our leaders and engage on the issues that we care about. That means we can build power in our communities and create real change. Our right to vote gives us that power.
But whether that right is protected varies from state to state. (Yes, even today.) Some states have laws that encourage voters to participate and make our voices heard, while others have laws that confuse and block voters, which lowers turnout — and our impact.
As the largest and most diverse generation in American history, we have the strength to defend our voices and our votes. Will you join?
Why Is Your Right to Vote Important?
The right to vote gives us the power to hold our elected leaders accountable — to remove those who don’t represent our values and replace them with leaders who will fight for our vision for the future.
Sometimes leaders who don’t share our values get scared of this power, and they try to take away our right to vote. They create barriers, like poll taxes and restrictive identification requirements, to try to silence our resistance. But each time they do so, Americans have marched, fought, and even died to protect our rights.
This fight is far from over. We’re here to help simplify what’s going on, but we need your help defeating bad policies that threaten our freedoms and fighting for policies that protect everyone’s right to vote.
As Oprah said in a recent campaign speech for Stacey Abrams:
Every single one of us, every single one of us has the same power at the polls. And every single one of us has something that if done in numbers too big to tamper with cannot be suppressed and cannot be denied. As our civil rights predecessors used to say, ‘We shall not be moved.’ …
For anybody here who had an ancestor who did not have the right to vote and you are choosing not to vote wherever you are in this state, in this country, you are dishonoring your family. You are disrespecting and disregarding their legacy, their suffering, and their dreams when you don’t vote. Honor your legacy. Honor your right to citizenship in this in which is the greatest country in the world.
What’s Going On Now?
Since each state has its own voting laws, the current state of voting rights depends on which state you’re voting in.
In states with rules that encourage participation, voter turnout and engagement are higher. In states with complicated or discriminatory policies that turn citizens away, people are prevented from exercising their rights and speaking truth to power.
It’s up to us to hold our elected leaders accountable and support those willing to fight alongside us.
Ranked States
Your ability to exercise your right to vote varies by state. We ranked states based on the laws and policies that impact our generation’s voting rights, and the results aren’t all that pretty.
Check out your state HERE
Voting Rights Resources
We have a chance to be the change we want to see in this world. We have an opportunity to speak up for our communities and our future. Let’s take it.
Get Ready to Vote
Register to vote
MA Voter Registration: Remember, you can’t vote unless you’re registered.
Recently turn 18? Maybe you want to change your party or your voter registration address? Make sure you are eligible to vote in this next election. Take a few minutes and complete the voter registration form so you can Rock the Vote!
Pre-Registration
16-year-olds and up can pre-register to vote. On your 18th birthday, your voter registration application will be fully processed.
Same Day Registration
Massachusetts does not offer the opportunity to register to vote on Election Day.
Automatic Voter Registration
Massachusetts does not automatically register eligible citizens to vote when they go to a government agency, like the DMV.
If You’ve Moved
Massachusetts does not require registrants to live in the state for a specific amount of time before registering to vote.
Documentation Requirements
When submitting a voter registration application, no additional documents are required for your registration to be processed. The state confirms your citizenship and eligibility through the information provided on your registration form, such as your state-issued license/ID number or the last 4 digits of your SSN.
Voting Rights Restoration
Voting rights of convicted persons are restored upon release. Returning citizens must re-register to vote after their rights are restored.
Interstate Voter Rolls Accuracy & Maintenance
Massachusetts participates in the Interstate Crosscheck program to compare voter rolls with other states for maintenance purposes.
Important MA dates:
Massachusetts General Election
Nov 6, 2018
Voter Registration Deadline
Online by Wed Oct 17, 2018 11:59PM EDT
Postmarked by Wed Oct 17, 2018
In-Person, Received by Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:00PM EDT
Received by Mon Nov 5, 2018 12:00PM EST
Received by Tue Nov 6, 2018
NH Voter Registration: Remember, you can’t vote unless you’re register
Recently turn 18? Maybe you want to change your party or your voter registration address? Make sure you are eligible to vote in this next election. Take a few minutes and complete the voter registration form so you can Rock the Vote!
Pre-Registration
17-year-olds who will be 18 by the next general election can pre-register to vote. On your 18th birthday, your voter registration application will be fully processed.
Same Day Registration
New Hampshire offers the opportunity to register to vote on Election Day at the polling place. You will be asked to show proof of age, citizenship, and domicile.
Automatic Voter Registration
New Hampshire does not automatically register eligible citizens to vote when they go to a government agency, like the DMV.
If You’ve Moved
New Hampshire requires registrants to live in the state at least 30 days before registering to vote.
Documentation Requirements
In New Hampshire, voters must submit proof-of-domicile when registering to vote. If none is supplied, you can still vote, but there is official follow-up with the state to confirm your domicile.
Voting Rights Restoration
In New Hampshire, the voting rights of convicted persons are automatically restored upon release, but these individuals must re-register to vote.
Interstate Voter Rolls Accuracy & Maintenance
New Hampshire does not participate in any coordinated effort with other states to compare voter rolls for maintenance purposes.
Important NH dates:
New Hampshire General Election
Nov 6, 2018
Voter Registration Deadline
Election Day Registration & Voting Tue Nov 6, 2018 Contact Town Clerk Deadline Dates Vary by Locality
FAQ’s
Where can I learn who's running for office, research issues, and check to see my state's voting laws?
On Election Day, If I think my rights have been violated, what should I do?
Am I requird to vote for everything on the ballot?
What if I go to the polls and they tell me I am not registered to vote?
Do I need to show Identification to vote?
Where do I vote on Election Day?
How do I unsubscribe from emails and text messages from ROCK THE VOTE?
How do I update my email address with ROCK THE VOTE?
I changed my legal name, how do I change my name on my voter registration?
Can you change your vote if you voted early?
How do I obtatain an absentee ballot?
I won't be around on Election Day, How can I get an absentee ballot?
Does a voter card serve as form of identification for voting?
Why should I hold onto my voter card?
What if my info on the card is wrong?
Do I need my voter card to vote?
I lost my voter card. How can I get another one?
I don't know if I ever received a voter card (or I love mine), What should I do?
How long does it take to get my voter card in the mail?
What does a voter card look like?
What is a voter card?
Is it too late to register to vote?
I may already be registered but I don't know. How do I know if I'm registred to vote?
Can you register to vote online?
What do I do if I complete the online voter registration form but do not have a printer?
When I received my completed online voter registration form from ROCK THE VOTE, I realized a piece of my personal informtation (email, phone, address, etc) was incorrect. What should I do?
Can I put a P.O. Box address or a school mailbox address as my permanent address?