How to Vote for the First Time

(drumming) If you care about growth.

If your voice isn't heard.

If it seems like no one is listening.

Whether you're nearsighted or farsighted.

It's time to vote.

It's time.

It's time to vote.

Vote.

(upbeat music)

Step one, register.

Go to vote.org to register to vote online.

If your state doesn't allow online registration,

vote.org can point you in the right direction

on where to register in person,

such as your local DMV or election office.

Step two, find out what's on your ballot.

There are several resources to figure out

what issues matter in your state and in your district.

Ballotpedia.org can help you find them.

Step three, find your polling place.

Go to vote.org and put in your address

to find out where you can vote.

On voting day,

make sure you show up with proper identification,

it varies from state-to-state.

Check your state's laws on what kind of ID you need.

Step four, figure out how you'll vote.

Are you voting in person?

At your polling place, you'll be given one of two methods.

Paper ballots, which could either be filled in

or hole punched, or voting machines,

which usually come in the form of touchscreens.

For both methods,

you'll show up in person to your local polling station.

If you have a job,

they're legally obligated to give you time off to vote.

Don't drive?

Try carpooling with a friend.

You could both vote at the same time.

If you're unable to vote in person,

you can cast an absentee ballot.

Check your state's laws

to see if you'll need a valid excuse,

like you're in college, as some states require one.

You'll also need to check deadlines and methods

as they vary from state-to-state.

Step five, vote.

Vote.

Every vote-- Counts.

Every vote counts

on the national, state, and local level in every election,

not just the big one that comes around every four years.

And it doesn't matter if you live in a blue state--

Red state--

Or a swing state.

Your vote matters.