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Voting Resources

The 2020 Election is happening on November 3.

Many states offer early voting in person and voting by mail, in addition to voting on election day.

The Coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a lot of confusion about voting and has changed the way some states are running the election this year.

The goal of this page is to help clarify your options; answer your questions; and help you make a plan for how you’re going to cast your ballot.

National Voting Resources

Illinois Voting Resources

North Carolina Voting Resources

Election Day Problems?

Report an election issue to The National Election Protection Hotline/Vote411 by calling:

  • 1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
  • 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español)
  • 1-888-API-VOTE (Asian multilingual assistance)
  • 1-844-YALLA-US (Arabic)

National Resources:

Queer the Vote 2020 Voter Guide (National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund)

This guide includes information about the issues that are most pressing to members of the LGBTQ+ communities.

“The 2020 elections are crucial for the progressive LGBTQ community. Nearly every issue discussed this cycle has a disproportionate impact on our community. It is critical that legislative and administrative policy goals of whoever is elected includes the impact and consequences on our community from the start of the drafting.
Many LGBTQ people have multiple marginalized identities – we are people of color, we are low-income, we live with disabilities, we were raised in a minority faith tradition. We are immigrants and union members; we have been involved with the criminal legal system and the child welfare system. No matter what marginalized identities we hold, we deserve protection from discrimination, access to quality healthcare, safe schools, and community support.
We need candidates that will work on those LGBTQ-specific policy changes that impact our community in unique ways. We also need candidates who understand the LGBTQ policy implications in every issue they address – from immigration and criminal justice to economic and reproductive justice.
The current Administration’s attacks on our communities have shown that today, more than ever before, it is essential for LGBTQ people to Queer the Vote in 2020.”

Victory Fund: LGBTQ Candidates

“Victory Fund works to build long-term LGBTQ political power by helping elect LGBTQ leaders at every level of government.”
“We provide campaign, fundraising and communications support to LGBTQ candidates to increase the number of openly LGBTQ elected officials – because representation is power. When LGBTQ elected leaders are in the room, they humanize our lives, impact policy and legislative debates and influence straight lawmaker colleagues to vote in favor of equality. LGBTQ elected officials are our best defense against anti-LGBTQ efforts at all levels of government, and are best positioned to advance equality for our community.”

This list includes endorsed legislative, judicial, and executive candidates for federal, statewide, county, and municipal offices.

Voting Guide for TGNCNB People (Lambda Legal)

“Voting is a fundamental and essential component of participating in the US democracy. But throughout our history as a nation, systemic erosion of voting rights has been used to erase the voices of minority populations. For many people across the country, having identification documents that do not match one’s gender or expression coupled with hostile voter ID policies create barriers to accessing the polls. It is critical that TGNCNB (transgender, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary) voices are heard in this — and every — election.”

TransForm the Vote (National Center for Transgender Equality)

“If you decide to go in person to your polling place this year, having ID that doesn’t match your gender identity or presentation should not affect your right to cast a ballot, in any state. But with increasingly strict voter ID laws, trans people may face barriers—both because of difficulties in obtaining an ID that’s accepted, or because they might run into bias or misunderstandings of the law when it comes to their gender.” Information on: ID rules; how to handle poll workers, volunteer attorneys/poll-watchers, and provisional ballots. *IF NO ONE IS AROUND TO HELP, CALL THE NATIONAL ELECTION PROTECTION HOTLINE at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)!

Vote411

This website allows you to explore voting state-by-state. You can check your registration status, register to vote, *and* you can see what will be on your ballot when you do vote! It also includes a helpful checklist for first-time voters.

Vote.org

Vote.org includes an easy-to-navigate platform for tons of election information, including information about Registration (check whether you’re registered or become registered); Vote by Mail (request an absentee ballot), and a Polling Place Locator (organized by state.)

Illinois Resources:

Equality Illinois List of Endorsed Candidates

This is a list of candidates for Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives, endorsed by Equality Illinois.
“Equality Illinois proudly endorses the following candidates for the Illinois Primary Election on March 17, 2020. Endorsements are based on both returned questionnaires and voting records.”

Guide to Voting in Illinois while Trans, Non-Binary, or Gender Non-Conforming (ACLU)

“Every vote matters and your voice deserves to be heard. If you are transgender, non-binary, or gender non-conforming, you may have had problems in the past with someone questioning your identity because of your name, gender marker, or photo on your ID or you may simply be nervous about whether this might happen. No one should question you about your identity, but this guide should help you if they do. We’ve compiled some Frequently Asked Questions for transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming voters in Illinois.”

Illinois Voter Guide (League of Women Voters)

“With the Illinois Voter Guide, you can:”
“Explore your ballot! Dive into the background and opinions of every candidate on your actual ballot, no matter where you live in Illinois.”

“Make informed choices. Take your time, go through the information, and save your choices, as you create your own personalized voting guide.”

“Vote! Voting can be by a vote by mail ballot, in person early voting, or voting in person on Election Day. There is no online voting.”

“Changes to 2020 voting laws brought on by Covid-19 make it possible to register and vote without ever leaving home. Those who wish to vote in person can avoid crowds by using early voting sites, which will be open earlier than usual this year.”

“The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government. We offer the Illinois Voter Guide as a community resource for all voters. If you would like to support the continuation of this work please consider making a donation.”

North Carolina Resources:

Guide for LGBTQ Individuals Using a Preferred Name

This Guide for LGBTQ Individuals Using a Preferred Name while Voting at the Polls is specifically geared toward voters in Guilford County, North Carolina. However, it includes a lot of useful information for voters across the state of North Carolina.

“Voting at the polls can be daunting for transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming or other LGBTQ
community members using a preferred name that does not match their legal name. These guidelines
outline what to expect at the polls and offer suggestions for dealing with the possible situations that
might occur.”

Equality North Carolina List of Endorsed Candidates

This is a list of candidates for North Carolina Senate; North Carolina House; US Senate; US House; Council of State; Judicial Races; City Councils; and County Races, endorsed by Equality North Carolina.