Get Out The Vote: Midterm Primaries
This year is a midterm election year – did you know you vote twice in midterms?
Before the midterm election on Tuesday, November 3, primaries are held on various dates depending on the state you live in. See this graphic to find the date of your state’s midterm primary.
What are Midterm Primaries?
Midterm Primaries determine who you will be able to choose from when you vote in November. States have different guidelines for their midterm primary elections; for example, in some states, your primary vote must align with the party you are registered with. You can find information on your state’s guidelines here.
Why are Midterms Important?
Midterms take place at the halfway point of a presidential term and are a time when the public can vote for the changes or continuity they want to see in the representation of their interests. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and one-third of the seats in the U.S. Senate are up for election. This means that the partisan makeup of Congress can shift, which can impact the President’s capacity in the future years of his presidency. Other offices may be on your ballot as well, such as governor, judicial, or other local offices.
Voting is a way to have a say and a stake in the lawmakers who will represent you and your community – the very same lawmakers who will shape the policies that advance the goals you advocate for. That’s why it is important to exercise your right to participate in elections.
How to Make Your Plan to Vote:
- Make sure you are registered to vote. You can check that here and register at the same link if you aren’t.
- Find out what’s on your ballot and research your candidates in advance. Visit Vote411 for a tool to guide your research.
- Voting by mail or in person? Decide now!
- Visit your county’s Registrar of Voters to find out where you can drop off your ballot or where your polling place is located.
- Pick a day to vote and mark your calendar!
At NFYI, our mission emphasizes the power of your voice and the impact it has on transforming the child welfare system. Whether it’s legislation to make housing more accessible, expand mental health options, or keep families together, voting in the midterms ties to the success of that legislation. Your voice and vote are needed to represent those interests, so do your research and go to the polls prepared, and most importantly – go vote!