VOTE411.org prepares voters for 2020 elections
As Delawareans face shifting polling dates and expanded voting options because of the coronavirus spread, www.VOTE411.org provides an important tool for voters to educate themselves and keep current on election developments.
This nonpartisan voter education site, launched by the League of Women Voters of Delaware, offers a one-stop resource for candidate information, a voter registration tool, and other helpful election information that voters can use to safely cast their ballots during this time of mandated social distancing.
The presidential primary, originally scheduled for April 28, has been moved to Tuesday, July 7, and the statewide school board elections, originally scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, have been moved to Tuesday, July 21. The Christina School District referendum will proceed as planned Tuesday, June 9.
Delaware Gov. John Carney has declared self-quarantine or social distancing to be valid reasons to vote by absentee ballot, and voters can apply for an absentee ballot through the VOTE411 site.
The league has been lobbying the Delaware Legislature for some time to expand voting options, such as early voting, no-excuse absentee voting and vote-by-mail, so voters can cast their ballots from home. “The people want to vote,” said Carol Jones, co-president of the League of Women Voters of Delaware. “They want to cast their ballots legally and they do not want to put themselves or others at risk. We are grateful that the state is letting them do so this year through absentee voting. And we will continue to advocate for permanently removing barriers to our citizens exercising their right to vote.”
“The restrictions imposed by the coronavirus could seriously affect voter turnout. This is especially worrisome for the school board elections, which already have extremely low voting rates in Delaware,” said Kim Wells, who manages the VOTE411 site. “Voters need as many options as possible to cast their ballots, and they need to learn about the candidates ahead of time. Informed voters are the cornerstone of a working democratic republic.”
VOTE411 gives voters simple tools that they can access online to stay informed on the status of the elections and navigate the voting process before election day. The site’s voter guide helps millions of voters each year – many of them young people and first-time voters – find out about how and where to register; local, state, and federal candidates and their positions; what’s on the ballot; voting options; and more.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. With branches in all three Delaware counties, the league works with local communities to present unbiased information about elections, the voting process and issues, and advocates for or against particular policies in the public interest.
