Bennett is executive director of Vote Early Day, a nonpartisan effort promoting a civic holiday dedicated to empowering Americans to vote early.
It’s Vote Early Day! Today, thousands of nonprofits, businesses, campus groups, election leaders and other voting enthusiasts are hosting celebrations encouraging Americans to vote early in every corner of the country.
But why vote early?
When you vote early by mail or in person, nothing can stop you from having your say. When people vote ahead of Election Day, they have the convenience of finding a date and time that works for their schedule. The lines may be substantially shorter, so you can get in, get out and get on with your day. And if you run into an issue like not having the proper ID or showing up to the wrong polling place, you have plenty of time to correct the problem and cast your ballot. In the final hours of voting, Americans can face unanticipated barriers that may keep them from casting their ballot. We’ve seen even the best-laid plans fall apart when problems arise.
Vote Early Day is a nonpartisan holiday dedicated to ensuring all Americans have the tools and information they need to vote early. Built in the same model as other civic holidays like National Voter Registration Day, it culminates in a tentpole moment: a shared day to celebrate our democracy by helping others participate in it.
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The success of this holiday is built on the idea that empowering voters is a task no single group can or should do alone. Through a broad, diverse set of partners, Vote Early Day can meet people where they are with the information they need to vote in advance of Election Day. Every business, local government office, educator, nonprofit, faith community, student group, media company, athlete, celebrity and more plays a critical role. Each group has the unique ability to build a celebration that meets the needs of their communities, customers or constituents.
With politics seen as hostile and toxically partisan, Vote Early Day events mark a fun and joyful opportunity to lower the barrier to entry into our democracy. Through the work of organizations celebrating the holiday, partners amplify the benefits of voting early and empower people to take advantage of their options to make their voices heard.
With most states changing their voting laws in the last two years, Vote Early Day provides an important opportunity to share nonpartisan, up-to-date voter information that stops political disinformation in its tracks.
On Vote Early Day 2022, we saw over 3 million votes cast — the highest number of early ballots cast in October, according to the U.S. Elections Project. This year, we expect the trend of people voting early to continue to grow, with more Americans taking advantage of opportunities to cast their ballot by mail or early in person.
This year, we will not only decide our next president and vice president, but a new House of Representatives, new Senators and several crucial down-ballot races in every state. Whether a community is big or small, blue or red, young or old, you can count on Vote Early Day partners to celebrate in your community, ensuring every voice is heard and every vote is counted.
Through the impactful celebrations organized by partners, Vote Early Day aims to continue to empower voters and make Election Day the last day to vote.
