Get out to vote 2! by Karen P. Williams

The 2020 election is upon us!  The country is in crisis and our opportunity to vote for new leadership is in our hands.  With the recent passing of the Honorable Ruth Bader-Ginsberg, continual oppressive decisions, and the current state of the union, concern increases. Together, we must organize and carefully prepare ourselves to not only vote, but to help inform and arm others with the knowledge needed to make sound decisions around voting.  We can empower, engage, and excite our communities about voting.  Call your friends, family, church members, and make sure that they are registered to vote.  The last day to register to vote in West Virginia is October 13th.  Visit the Secretary of State's website at https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Pages/GoVoteWV.aspx and click on Elections to register online. On this site, citizens can verify their registration status.  All you need is the person's name and birthdate to submit.  The site will let you know whether you are active, your county/ precinct/ and your congressional district. For ease,  you will also find the printable Application for Absentee Voting (https://sos.wv.gov/FormSearch/Elections/Voter/Absentee%20Ballot%20Application.pdf).  Make copies and hand them out to your church members, coworkers, friends, and neighbors.  By any means necessary, Get Out to Vote, and empower others to do the same.   The county clerks began mailing ballots on September 18th. To support the people that you ask to fill out the form, ask them their plan and help them execute that plan. Mail in your ballot, drop it off, or be traditional and vote in person.  No matter how you plan to do it, just do it.  We have 36 days before the General Election.  Stay tuned and continue to engage others.
​West Virginia Online Voter Registration Website: www.ovr.sos.wv.gov 

Important Dates:
October 13, 2020 (post received by Oct. 16th) - Voter Registration Deadline
October 28, 2020 - Eligible voters may apply for a General Election ballot by mail.
October 21 – October 31, 2020 - Early Voting at the county courthouse, annex or designated community voting location during normal business hours and Saturdays 9AM to 5PM.
October 28, 2020 - Deadline for Absentee by Mail Application. 
November 2, 2020 - Deadline to hand-deliver Absentee Ballot to County Clerk’s office.
November 3, 2020 (General Election Day) - Polls open 6:30 AM to 7: 30 PM and absentee ballots must be postmarked.
November 9, 2020 - Absentee Ballot postmarked by Election Day accepted if received by start of Canvass.

Please feel free to contact me with additional GOTV suggestions or activities at 304-543-0248 or [email protected] .  Let’s change history with our votes!