Help me I’m scared

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It’s VOTING TIME and we’re ready to bring this party to the polls. But if you’re a little uncertain of what to do, especially as a first-time voter, we’re here to help. With the help of ProPublica, we’ve compiled some of the most common questions about the voting process, and have put all the resources you need into one place. Now get out there and make some noise!

Where is my polling place?

Just click on your state on this page to find out where your polling place is. It takes, like, 2 seconds. It should even tell you the hours that your polling place is open!

What should I bring with me to vote?

Most states require you to bring a valid form of ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.), but the specifics vary state to state. Enter your address here to find out specifics about your state’s laws. You are allowed to bring a printed “cheat sheet” (see below) with you into the ballot. Don’t rely on being able to check your phone to look up candidates; the polling location may have no wifi, or they may be strict about seeing a phone out at the poll. Printing out the information is your best bet!

What’s on my ballot?

Enter your address here to find out! For a cheat sheet that you can PRINT OUT AND BRING TO THE BALLOT, enter your address here!

What if they tell me I’m not registered?

Here are all the states that offer same-day voter registration. If you know that you’re registered, but you are not coming up in their system, you can say, “I request a provisional ballot as required by law.” This will enable you to submit your vote, and they will later dig deeper to confirm your voter status.

What if the polls close while I’m in line?

By law, if you got in line while the polls were open, you are entitled to the ability to vote. If you get any trouble for this, you can call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

What if the polling station isn’t accessible to me due to a disability?

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), polling stations are legally required to be accessible. You can ask for an ADA-compliant voting booth or machine, and if they do not give one to you, you can call the Election Protection Hotline (see above) to ensure that they bring you one.

What if I see cases of voter suppression, or some suspicious poll behavior?

If you believe you see a poll problem, you can text “VOTE” to 81380 to report it. You can also tweet at @ElectionLand with the issue, and they’ll investigate.

Where do I find the election results?

Politico, a mostly non-partisan will keep you posted on the big news as it comes out, and it allows you to click on your state to find out your local results. Keep an eye on the House and Senate results here.