Washington DC, United States

The United States Constitution grants to all the nation's citizens, both natural-born and naturalised, the right to vote. With America in the throes of a highly contentious neck-to-neck battle between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, a question in the minds of many is how to avoid voter suppression.

Advertisment

Here's a guide:

Know your rights

It is rightly said that 'Knowledge is power'. To ensure you do not suffer voter suppression, you must first know your voter rights.

Advertisment

Check Eligibility

Ensure that you meet your state's voter eligibility.

Deadlines

Advertisment

Each of the 50 states will cast the final vote on Election Day (Nov 5), however, early voting is already underway in many states. Every state has its own schedule for this. Make sure to keep yourself updated with this.

Voter ID laws

Thirty-six of the 50 US states require some form of identification for voting. Check with your local election office for up-to-date information on voting requirements.

Also read | US Elections: Do you need ID to vote? Here's the lowdown

Avail provisional ballots

If you face any issue with your eligibility at a polling station, you have the right to avail a provisional ballot. These allow you to vote while officials verify your identity and eligibility.

Absentee and mail-in voting

These modes of voting are available in most of the US states. Check your eligibility for them and make sure to post your vote before the deadlines. 

To avoid some common mistakes made by voters in mail-in ballots, check out this WION guide: US elections 2024: How to avoid common mistakes when voting by mail?

Vote early

Take advantage of early voting that is allowed by many states. This can help you avoid any last-minute issues on Election Day.

Report voter intimidation

Federal and state laws prohibit voter intimidation, which includes threats, harassment, or spreading misinformation. If you experience or witness intimidation, report it to the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).

Know your rights as a voter with disability

In the US, voters with disabilities have certain rights that make the process easy. Check out this WION guide to know your rights as a voter with disability and more: US elections | Voting as a person with disability: A step-by-step guide to using Accessible Voting Machines