Voting in Swing States
Maine has some of the best voting laws in the country. This state truly wants
you to be able to vote! You can vote early or even register on the same day as
Election Day. The Maine State government website is especially helpful to learn
who is running, where you can vote, and who to contact in order to register.
Based on your home town, you can search for all of this information on
Voter Information Lookup.
In order to register to vote, you will need two forms of identification and
proof of residence. For students, this can mean two of the following choices: a
driver’s license, passport, birth certificate, and student identification card
in addition to a bill or official letter delivered to your permanent residence
within the state.
When the result of an election is uncertain because it is unclear which party
will win the vote, that state is called a Swing State. In 2006, there are an
estimated 12-16 elections that could decide whether the Senate and the House of
Representatives will be controlled by the Democrat or Republican Party. As a
result, if you feel strongly about one party or the other, it is essential that
you make your voice heard. Besides Maine, examples of
four important swing states are New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio.
Below are links so that you can learn the necessary steps to register and
vote/vote absentee if you live in one of these important swing states.
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This is what a voter registration table would look like on Election
Day:
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Many states have deadlines by which you need to register to vote
or by which you need to return your request for an absentee ballot, so make sure
you get it in on time!
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