It’s Time to Vote

Blog by Erik Berman

Alameda County Library believes being civically engaged is part of being a kind, connected human. Below, you'll find information about registering to vote, some common myths about voting, and how the library can help you get voter-ready in time for Tuesday, November 5.

How do I vote?

To register to vote in California, you must:

• be a United States citizen
• be a resident of California
• be  18 years old or older on Election Day (Tuesday, November 5)
• not be currently serving a state or federal prison term for the conviction of a felony
• not be currently found to be mentally incompetent to vote by a court

Not registered yet? Visit registertovote.ca.gov to register online. The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 21, 2024.

What can I vote for?

• Alameda County’s election site has all the official details about what will be on the 2024 ballot, including a list of measures.
• Visit the nonpartisan Cal Matters Voter’s Guide to learn detailed information about state and federal legislative races and easily accessible breakdowns of all the state ballot propositions.
• The League of Women Voters’ Vote411 site contains nonpartisan information about the election, voter registration, and the candidates on your ballot. Many local candidates have provided websites, lists of endorsements, and public statements for you to review.
• Like Vote411, Ballotpedia is another site that contains breakdowns of federal, state, and local races, including information about local candidates that may not be readily available elsewhere.

Where do I vote?

You can vote EARLY: You can pick up and/or submit a vote-by-mail ballot at a 24-Hour Drop Box near you. You can drop-off your ballot anytime between now and 8 pm on Election Day.

You can also vote in person on Election Day. Find your nearest polling location. In-person voting locations will be available either 11 days or 4 days before Election Day, as well as all day on Election Day.

Voters with Disabilities: Discover all the accessible options available to ensure you can cast your vote, including Remote Accessible Vote by Mail and the ACVOTE On The Go Program. Learn more at acvote.alamedacountyca.gov/accessibility.

What should I bring with me to vote?

• If you choose to vote in person and you've voted in California before, you don't need to show ID.
• If you're a first-time voter in a federal election who registered by mail, and did not include your driver's license number, California ID number, or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number on your registration, you may be asked to provide ID when you vote. Acceptable forms include:   
• • copy of a recent utility bill
  • sample ballot booklet you received from your county elections office, or another document sent to you by a government agency
  • U.S. passport
  • driver's license
  • official state identification card
  • student identification card showing your name and photograph

Common myths about voting

Myth #1: You are only voting for the president

False!

During each election, you are voting for various candidates, propositions, and measures. In addition to voting for federal positions such as the president, senators, and representatives, this general election will also include important state and local issues. This election will choose State Senators, members of the State Assembly, county supervisors, mayors and city councilors, and school board members across the county. You will also be voting for state propositions and local measures designed to fund schools and essential services, address housing and healthcare, and determine whether the state constitution should be amended to reaffirm the right of same-sex partners to marry.

For more information on the people and issues in the race, we invite you to explore nonpartisan resources like the Cal Matters Voter’s Guide, the League of Women Voters’ Vote411, as well as Alameda County’s official election site and the County's list of measures.

Myth #2: One vote doesn’t matter

False!

Local elections are often determined by dozens of votes if not fewer. In fact, several recent elections were determined by one vote or less. Some races have even had to be determined by a coin flip or a random drawing. Recent examples include a tied primary race for US House, tiebreakers for Sunnyvale and Richmond city councils, and a Virginia race where a tiebreaker determined who controlled the state legislature.

Myth #3: My vote doesn’t count

False!

It can be intimidating to consider your one vote in the context of a national election. However, your vote can have a direct impact on your own local community. Voting for local issues like bond measures to fund schools and essential services, mayors and city councils, and your school board can have direct consequences on your day-to-day life. The people you elect and the bond measures that pass or fail will help determine the priorities your community sets for the coming years, from the potholes filled to the apartments built, to the decisions made for local students. Voting lets you play a part in shaping your future and the future of those around you.

How can AC Library help?

Visit your library for programs and information highlighting the 2024 election

Come to the Albany Library to attend a workshop about the Electoral College, or visit Newark Library for a voting-themed storytime. Visit our events page for even more programming.

Use our library computers to research credible sources of election information. Browse sites like CalMatters Voter’s Guide, Vote411, or visit the sites of trusted news organizations.

Many library locations also have civics corners with election information and voting guides from the League of Women Voters.

If you aren’t sure about the reliability of election information, ask one of our librarians! You may also verify it yourself using fact-checking resources such as the Annenberg Public Policy Center Factcheck.org, Snopes, or Politifact.

Check out our online catalog, eResources, and booklist

Watch college-level courses online about the history of America and its political traditions from Great Courses – a Libby Extra.

Explore the history of voting and the role that black women played in fighting for the right to vote in our Black Women’s Suffrage Digital Collection.

Find even more information by browsing our online resources.

Your vote matters! Local elections have been decided by as little as a single vote or by coin toss. Your vote can make a difference.

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