GLSEN Arizona gets you ballot ready!
The 2024 ballot is almost here! And while many of us have our favorite initiatives we’re looking forward to voting on, there are, of course, the candidates!
Most of us know the candidates at the top of the ballot, such as presidential and U.S.
Congressional candidates, but since so many of our freedoms are protected by local officials, it’s even more important to vote “the whole ballot” – including state legislative seats, boards of supervisors, sheriffs, judges, justices of the peace, city council, and school board candidates.
In 25 days early voting starts in Arizona and here at GLSEN Arizona, we’ve got your election back and we want you to feel confident once you receive your ballot! We’ll demystify the process by defining election jargon, and clarifying what the measures mean. This week, we’re focusing on researching candidates on your ballot.
DOING YOUR RESEARCH: CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT:
We encourage you to research candidates, and if you’re able, provide grassroots energy to their campaigns.
Do your research about the candidates on your ballot. This could be as easy as a Google search, checking out GLSEN Arizona’s Legislative Report Card, or visiting the candidate’s website or social media accounts.
In nonpartisan races like judges and school board seats, finding out information can be a challenge since candidates don’t (generally) have a political party helping them get their message out. Arizona does not elect judges - they are appointed by the Governor. However, every six years through judicial retention elections you are able to say yes or no as to whether each judge should stay in their seat.
Find out who is endorsing each candidate. When anti-LGBTQ+ candidates are defeated in elections, it shows young people that they have allies who will advocate for them — let them know they matter with your vote and your voice.
Share what you learn! There's a lot you can do: Talk to your parents. Call your aunties. Talk to your people. Tell them that when LGBTQ+ supportive candidates are elected, we can hold them accountable to vote our values.
We know that when pro-LGBTQ+ candidates win, the communities we advocate for have the potential to gain the dignity and rights they deserve.
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
In addition to learning more about the issues and candidates on the ballot, there are some important tasks to work on:
Check your voter registration - make sure it’s at your current address.
Continue to volunteer locally and engage your people.
Keep asking questions and learning about who and what’s on the ballot.
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
The voter registration deadline is Oct. 7 and early voting starts Oct. 9. To request a mail-in ballot before Oct. 25, contact your county recorder. The last day to mail in ballots is Oct. 29 - after that, they must be dropped off at a vote center or polling location.
NEXT WEEK: Get ready for BALLOT INITIATIVES & REFERRALS!
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