Sunspot Sunday #13 | It's Time To Vote

Aloha CNH!

In the coming months, we must act as leaders within our Civic Duty to vote, and ensure that you and those around you are also prepared to do so. Voting is an essential part of Democracy and plays a vital role in ensuring that your concerns for the future of your country, and the leaders that come to take charge, are truly speaking, fighting, and working for the people.

With the COVID-19 Pandemic affecting many facets of our world and that way that we operate, and voting in the upcoming election is one of the aforementioned areas that will change. Specifically, within California, Nevada, and Hawaii, we have voting processes that range from limited in person, to voting by mail, and even a hybrid model. It can be very confusing, especially for many new and returning members to Circle K that are voting for the first time during this election cycle.

Vote.gov is a non-partisan organization that works to ensure that everyone has the proper tools and resources to be able to register to vote, as well as detail vital deadlines for your state.

As per the Vote.gov website, be sure to register by:

California
- Online Registration: 10/19/20
- Mail-In Registration: Postmarked by 10/19/20
- In-Person: 11/03/20
- Registration Information: https://vote.gov/register/ca/
Nevada
- Online Registration: 10/29/20
- Mail-In Registration: Postmarked by 10/06/20
- In-Person: 11/06/20
- Registration Information: https://vote.gov/register/nv/
Hawaii
- Online Registration: 10/05/20
- Mail-In Registration: Receive by 10/05/20
- In-Person: 11/03/20
- Registration Information: https://vote.gov/register/hi/

Additionally, Vote.org, other non-partisan non-profit works to promote civic engagement through voting and providing understanding as to how voting works in each state. Here you can find even more information on how to register to vote, find a polling place if you would like to vote in person, or learn the rules and regulations behind voting via alternative methods, especially during our global pandemic.

For Example:

California
- Every registered voter will receive a mail-in ballot
  - Be sure to update your voter registration to receive your ballot at your current address, or take a visit home when the mail-in ballot arrive!
- Physical Voting Locations are Available, with extra sanitization and social distancing protocols
  - Get in line early, and try to vote early, so everyone has an equal opportunity to get out and vote.
- Early Voting starts 29 days before the election
  - Find when in your county early voting starts by contacting your county elections officials
- Voting Deadlines
  - Mail-In Voting
    - Return by Mail Ballot must be postmarked by November 3rd, and received by November 20th
    - Return in Person must be submitted by November 3rd
  - Voting In-Person
    - Polls are open from 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM on November 3rd
    - Find your Polling Place
Nevada
- Every registered voter will receive a mail-in ballot
  - Be sure to update your voter registration to receive your ballot at your current address, or take a visit home when the mail-in ballot arrive!
  - If you are a resident of Nevada, but a student out of state, you can still receive your ballot at your mailing address! Be sure to update your mailing address!
- Physical Voting Locations are Available, with extra sanitization and social distancing protocols
  - Get in line early, and try to vote early, so everyone has an equal opportunity to get out and vote.
- Early Voting starts on October 17th and ends on October 30th
  - Find your Early Voting locations
- Voting Deadlines
  - Mail-In Voting
    - Return by Mail Ballot must be postmarked by November 3rd
    - Return in Person must be submitted by November 3rd
  - Voting In-Person
    - Polls are open from 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM on November 3rd
    - Find your Polling Place
Hawaii
- Voting is 100% through the mail
  - Be sure to update your voter registration to ensure that you receive your ballot!
- Voting Deadlines
  - Mail-In Voting
    - Return by Mail Ballot must be sent out by October 27th
    - Return in Person must be submitted by November 3rd at 7:00 PM

Whether it is your first time voting or your 5th, it is important to register to vote to ensure that you can take part not only in our presidential election but all election matters. Ensure that you review your voter information if you have moved or don’t remember the last time you registered to vote!

I hope each of you registers to vote, learn more about your voting process, and share with your friends this information to be able to be prepared for the upcoming months.

Happy Voting!

Yours in Passion & Service

Aaron Piña

[He/She/They/Usted]

20/21 External Relations Chair

aaronpina00@gmail.com

Sunspot Sunday #13 | It’s Time To Vote