[intro music] Hello, Delaware!

If you want to vote in November's midterm election, first you have to be registered. There's a link in the description where you can go check to see if you are registered right now.

If you're not, or if you need to change your address, you can use that same link to get to Delaware's voter registration form. You fill out the form online, but then Delaware makes you print that out and mail it in, like with a stamp, which I know is annoying, but it's important, and you've gotta do it by October 12th. If you're registering for the very first time, you will also need to mail in a photocopy of your Delaware ID or driver's license, and if you don't have one, a proof of residence like a utility bill or bank statement with your name and address on it.

Once you've registered, you get to vote. In most cases, you're gonna be voting in person on November 6th, but you can vote absentee by mail IF you will be out of state on election day. That includes if you are a student in another state but would prefer to vote in Delaware, if you have a disability that prevents you from going to the polls, you're incarcerated, or you have a religious belief that doesn't allow you to get to the polls.

If any of those apply to you, you can request a ballot by printing out the form in the link below and mailing it in. The last day they mail out absentee ballots is November 2nd this year, but the sooner  you get that request in, the longer you will have to look it over, research candidates, and vote before you send it in by November 6th. So don't wait until November 1st to get your application started.

If you qualify to vote absentee by mail, you can also go in person to you Department of Elections Office during normal business hours up until noon on November 5th if you don't want to wait for your ballot in the mail. There's a link in the description below that has their locations and websites. For everyone else, there's a link to find out where you need to go vote on November 6th.

Polls are open from 7am to 8pm, and you don't need to bring an ID, but poll workers will be able to check you in faster if your bring one, so just in case, take a Delaware driver's license, state ID, passport, bank statement, utility bill, or the polling place card you'll get in the mail after you register. Closer to election day, you can go to elections.delaware.gov to look at a sample ballot that tells you everything you'll be able to vote for. You don't have to vote for every single item on your ballot- you can leave things blank if you want to, but your local elections can be pretty important, so it's worth checking out what's on there ahead of time.

You can even print it out and bring it with you to the polls so you don't forget who and what you wanted to vote for. One more thing: if you're gonna vote-open up your notes app or grab a piece of paper and make a plan. Write down when and how you're gonna register, what time you're gonna go vote, how are you gonna get there, even who you're gonna bring with you to the polls.

Having a plan is a great way to make sure that nothing unexpected stops you from voting on November 6th. All the links you need to check your registration and polling locations are in the description.

Thank you for voting. [end music]