NOTE: This page is an archive from November 2020’s #ChangeTheChannel voter registration campaign. Please visit vote.org for up-to-date voter resources.
This coming November, our country will be visiting the polls, via mail or in-person, to make a pivotal decision during one of the most difficult years in American history. Our vote, our voice, and our actions matter greatly in the coming weeks and beyond. And as artists, we hold a particularly important stance as a role models occupying a space that may influence our audience’s actions as well.
HEADS on TV is proud to launch the #ChangeTheChannel campaign, inviting artists nationwide to share their thoughts on why voting matters, especially as a modern creative. If you’d like to take part in that conversation, click here.
Most importantly—we want to get as many artists to the polls as possible.
Still have unanswered questions about where and how to vote? We’ve done the research for you in our easy access FAQ—check it out below.
Don’t have time to read? TL;DR quick links are at the bottom of this page.
As a citizen of the U.S., no matter your background or circumstance, you have the power to change the channel. Let’s encourage one another to get out there and vote.
➮ FAQ
Short answers to the real questions you’ve been meaning to Google about the voting process.
➮ Does my vote actually matter?
It does! The electoral college is our country’s collective of representatives who make their decision for president elect based on each state’s majority vote. If Lady Gaga is the candidate you’ve cast your vote for, for example, and the majority of your state has also chosen “Bad Romance” as their national anthem, then your state’s electoral candidate will write in Lady Gaga as their nomination (in some states, there is even a penalty if a representative decides to vote in the opposition).
➮ How do I know if I’m registered to vote?
Vote.org has a great “Check if I’m registered” feature that can get you that answer in 30 seconds or less.
➮ How do I register to vote if I’m not yet registered?
Another quick + easy 2-minute form from Vote.org, which you can fill out here.
➮ When is the last day I can register to vote?
Don’t sweat if you’ve waited until the last minute—in many states, you can register online as late as October 29th. If you’re not registered as of reading this sentence, we recommend using the link above to get registered—you can also get updated info from your state’s registrar here.
➮ If I can’t vote in person, which ballot do I need: an absentee or mail-in?
An absentee ballot is only granted under certain circumstances, like being deployed within the United States armed forces, or being ill at the time of election. A mail-in ballot typically covers any and all other circumstances that might render a citizen unable to vote in-person, like living in a different state at the time of election. Because of the current pandemic, we recommend clicking here for updated information on absentee requirements and regulations.
➮ Does my vote count differently if I mail it in, versus showing up in person to the polls?
Nope! It’s important to note that you will likely be voting in a different timeline, typically earlier, than your friends and fellow citizens. If you do opt absentee or mail-in, be sure you’ve read your state’s rules here.
➮ What am I voting for on the November ballot?
**A quick disclaimer—due to the pandemic, many states have opted for election postponements. Click here to find out if this affects your ballot.
USA.gov cuts right to the chase for us: “The next federal election will be Tuesday, November 3, 2020. It will include voting for president and vice-president, 1/3 of the Senate, and all of the House of Representatives. State and local races will also be on the ballot in many areas.”
➮ Where can I find info about candidates?
There are now several free non-partisan resources to browse candidate backgrounds and stances—one of our favorites is Voterly, which gives clear visual statistics on party breakdowns and searchable bios by both location and candidate name. Check it out here.
➮ What are some safe ways I can vote during the pandemic?
Vote.org provides an ongoing, updated list of pandemic-related poll information by state—check it out here.
➮ Can I take a picture of my mail-in ballot to spread the word on social media that I’ve voted, to encourage others to do the same?
While we love any eagerness to show off a proudly-marked ballot, it is indeed illegal to share your public voting ballot with anyone else, digitally or otherwise. If you are looking for more ways to celebrate, use our #ChangeTheChannel hashtag to tell your followers why the opportunity to vote means so much to you.