9 Small But Effective Things You Can Do To Impact The Election This Year (Besides Vote)

Not old enough to vote? Don't have more than a few minutes to spare? There are still ways you can help.

With election day coming up in 🚨 less than a month (!!) 🚨 and early voting happening even sooner, you might be wondering what you can do to help boost voter turnout.

Instagram: @votedotorg

The good news is that even in a pandemic, you still have lots of options.

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Even better news: they all vary in time commitment and level of interaction with other people, so if you truly have a packed schedule or dread talking to strangers — OR if you're not old enough (or able) to vote — you can still help. Here's how!

1. Be 1000% sure you're actually registered to vote.

@votesaveamerica / Via instagram.com

First things first: For those old enough and able to vote this year, triple-check that you're actually registered to do so. For added security, you can either request an absentee ballot or find out about early voting dates in your state here.

2. Make your representatives vow to count every single vote.

@representus / Via instagram.com

All you have to do is sign this petition to push your state's officials to promise that they'll honor. Every. Last. Vote.

3. Sign up to phone bank in key states.

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Ok, so you may not be able to literally knock on doors during a pandemic, but you can call swing states you don't live in and make a real impact (here's a quick guide on the process). Start by Googling phone banking initiatives for your candidate of choice (Knock for Democracy is one of my personal favorites, for example). Then, join in to have direct, one-to-one conversations with undecided or apathetic voters.

4. Volunteer as a poll worker.

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With the pandemic creating unprecedented election roadblocks (such as fewer available poll workers), now's your chance to step up through orgs like Power the Polls. You can also apply through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's website. If your application is accepted, you'll be provided with training, PPE, and (depending on your district) even some $ for your time.

5. Help register other people to vote by (safely) approaching people on the street or hosting a virtual event.

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The COVID-19 outbreak inevitably makes in-person signups harder, but there are still HeadCount events where you can safely help people sign up. Rock the Vote also offers resources and tips on hosting virtual registration parties or in-person signups.

6. Continue to look out for and fight voter suppression.

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The American Civil Liberties Union is devoted to fighting voter suppression through legal action and advocacy. A donation can help them continue this important battle, as can keeping up to date on any voter suppression attempts in your area.

7. Invest your time in helping make elections fairer year-round.

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Regardless of your party or top political priorities, one thing everyone can agree on is the fact that our system is in need of repair. RepresentUs is one of the main groups trying to put a stop to the gerrymandering and lobbyism that negatively affect our democracy. You can volunteer to work on their Anti-Corruption Act campaigns and make a difference on a local (and eventually, national) level.

8. Donate to the candidate themselves.

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Probs obvious, but you can always go to your candidate of choice's website and donate there!

9. Urge everyone you know to double-check their voter registration and show up to vote.

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When you've done any/all of the above, the next step is to spread the word! Use social media to your advantage by sharing status updates, retweets, pics, and links to any and all crucial voting info. But also: check in with your friends and family. Send them links on voter registration (or, ahem, this post) and help them answer any questions they have.

Register to vote for the 2020 presidential election here! Your voice matters, now and always. 🗳️

Kevin Valente / BuzzFeed