Your need-to-knows for primary elections and voter registration

Primary-election season continues, with 17 states yet to have voters cast their ballots to determine who will vie for elected federal, state and local offices this fall.

Professional drivers registered to vote should make the effort to cast their primary ballots. With a number of states offering options such as advance voting, voting by mail and absentee voting, it’s possible for many truckers to make their voices heard no matter where they happen to be on Election Day, Nov. 5.

And although primary elections typically don’t receive the same attention as the fall election, they can be just as important, if not more so. Primary ballots typically include a variety of issues, including some significant to the trucking industry.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 28 states offer no-excuse absentee voting, and 14 states offer absentee voting as long as voters provide an eligible excuse. Another eight states allow all elections to be conducted entirely by mail, while nine states permit some elections to be conducted entirely by mail.

Although all-mail elections permit registered voters to return a ballot by mail, voters also have the option of accessing in-person voting on Election Day.

Primary season continues

More than half of all states have wrapped up their primaries. In those states, focus has shifted solely to the November election.

During the month of August, 13 states have primaries scheduled. Tennessee will hold its primary on Aug. 1. Kansas, Michigan, Missouri and Washington will hold primaries on Aug. 6. In Hawaii, the statewide primary will be Aug. 10. Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont and Wisconsin primaries are set for Aug. 13. Alaska, Florida and Wyoming will hold theirs on Aug. 20.

Four more states have primaries set for September. The Massachusetts primary will take place Sept. 3., and on Sept. 17, primary season will wrap up in Delaware, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Deadlines for voter registration

Truckers not yet registered to vote should act quickly to ensure their voice is heard this fall. The first round of state registration deadlines is fast approaching.

In most states, you can register to vote in person or online. Depending on your state, you may be able to print your registration form from a website or pick one up in person from the DMV, local board of elections office, post office, library or other locations designated by state officials.

Voter registration deadlines vary by state. Eighteen states require registration 28-30 days before Election Day. They are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

In 13 states, registration deadlines are 20-27 days before Election Day. They are Delaware, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Virginia and West Virginia.

Another 17 states have a registration deadline up to 18 days before Election Day. They are Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

If you live in one of the above-mentioned states, it is a good idea to have your registration submitted before the earliest deadline date listed. Only one state, North Dakota, does not require voter registration.

Same-day registration

Voters can take advantage of same-day registration in 21 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. This means you can register and vote at the same time, but only if you have a photo ID with your address on it. Rhode Island offers Election Day registration only for presidential elections.

After you submit your registration form, your state will provide details about your polling place. Some states will send a voter registration ID card, which you may be required to show at your polling site. Other states require voters to show a photo ID.

For more information on voter registration, visit Vote.gov.

Truckers who have questions or need assistance can call the OOIDA Membership Department at 816-229-5791, ext. 4906. LL

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