5 Things to Know Before You Head to the Ballot Box

Earlier this month, the Summit College Club hosted a panel of remarkable women active in local New Jersey politics to talk about the upcoming November elections. Conversation covered what's at stake for women in the election and how to make your voice heard at the ballot box and beyond. There were numerous insightful moments and inspiring quotes, but we've pulled together our top five takeaways from the evening.

Featured Panelists

• Sue Altman, Former State Director, Senator Andy Kim and Former Executive Director, New Jersey Working Families Party

• Dyese Davis, Chief of Staff, Senator Vin Gopal & Assemblywoman Margie Donlon & Luanne Peterpaul

• Darcy Draeger, Chair of the Morris County Democratic Committee

• Marisa Sweeney, Assemblywoman

• Liz Glynn, Director of Organizing, New Jersey Citizen Action

• Andrea Stein, Panel Moderator

Top 5 takeaways as you head to the ballot box

1. Know your dates. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and early in-person voting runs October 24 through November 1. On the ballot: U.S. Senate, every House seat, county commissioners, Union County clerk, and Summit council seats. Also, New Jersey votes every year, so if you love elections, good news, there’s always another one coming. Visit NJ.gov for all election updates, dates, and to check your voter registration.

2. Don’t skip the bottom of the ballot. Your local council has an enormous impact on your daily quality of life, from pedestrian safety and traffic to development and property taxes. And if your town elects its school board (Summit does not, but surrounding towns do), don’t skip it. School board races are nonpartisan and easy to ignore, but they have a huge impact on curriculum, book policies, staff turnover, and even property values. Even if you don't have children in school right now, these decisions impact the education of our future leaders.

3. Bring three friends. If everyone in the room got three people to the polls who would otherwise skip a midterm, that’s enough to flip a local seat. And if you think one vote doesn’t matter, a recent Summit election was decided by eight votes.

4. Talk about it. We're trained to not talk politics, but if we want to raise awareness and spark change, we have to! Still, that doesn't mean you need to start a debate at the block party or on the sidelines of the kids' soccer match. To get the conversation started in a non-confrontational way, lead with the issue, not the party, since things like childcare and healthcare are just regular life. Remember to listen to listen, not to respond. And if you’d rather skip the awkward conversation, think about who you’d be speaking up for.

5. Voting is the beginning, not the finish line. Rest after November, then stay involved, because the real policy work happens after the election. We all have busy lives, but voting is only the first step to ensuring your local community is moving in the right direction.

Policy decisions happen between elections, use your voice at community meetings, campaign for future elections, and consider running for election yourself!

Bonus: keep an eye on the SAVE Act. Keep an eye on the SAVE Act and requirements around voters to present ID at polling stations. These rules could disenfranchise women who changed their names after marriage and have documents that don’t match. The AAUW adamantly opposes the SAVE Act. Check out their statement on page 8 of their recent voting record document.

Watch the full October 8 event: Women, Elections, & Action: Making a difference at the ballot box and beyond