It’s National Voter Registration Day! Are You Registered to Vote in the 2022 Midterm Elections?
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Whether it's a federal or a local election, our most important and impactful civic duty as United States citizens is to go out and vote. Presidential elections occur every four years, while midterm elections take place every two years. Although voter turnout is historically lower during the midterms than in presidential elections, according to Fair Vote, these elections have a significant, profound effect on our country.
Taking place halfway through the presidency, we vote on state and local levels to determine which political party will control the two chambers of Congress — the Senate and the House of Representatives. Voters choose all 435 seats in the House of Representatives (as these members only serve two years) and about one-third of senators (who are appointed for six-year terms). All in all, these two factions of our government have immense control over which laws and policies are passed in the country.
With the overturn of Roe v. Wade and other landmark privacy rights rulings in jeopardy, such as the right to same-sex marriage and the right to contraception access, it’s vitally important that you make your voice heard and vote in this year’s midterm elections. Here, we break down everything you need to know about the 2022 midterm elections, including how to register to vote and who might be running for president in 2024.
How do I register to vote?
In 42 states, plus the District of Columbia, one of the simplest ways to register to vote is online. The first step is to visit Vote.gov, which is the federal government’s voter registration website. Select your state or territory, and from there, the website will direct you to an information page with links to your specific state’s voter registration website. Click on that link and follow the prompts to complete your voter registration. Keep in mind that registration deadlines vary by state. More in this below.
Vote.gov also provides the link for you to confirm your voter registration. If you’re unsure — or just want to double (or triple) check that you’re registered in your state — it’s absolutely worth verifying before the deadline.
You can also register to vote by mail or in person. Vote.gov also provides a link to your state’s voting information page, which lists step-by-step instructions for how to register by mail or in person.
Remember, before you show up at the polling place on November 8, check your state’s voter ID requirements. For instance, some require a photo ID, while others do not. You can check your state’s requirements here.
What are the voter registration deadlines by state?
Vote.gov also lists each state's voter registration deadlines, so you can confidently give yourself enough time to register before the cut-off. Again, select your state or territory from the drop-down, and the website will bring you to the same information page with dates for the online registration deadline (if applicable), register by mail deadline, and the in-person registration deadline.
Who is running for president in 2024?
We’re a little over two years away from the 2024 Presidential election, and there’s already a significant number of potential candidates.
On September 18, President Biden told CNN that it’s “much too early” to make a decision on whether or not he will seek re-election. “Look, my intention, as I said to begin with, is that I would run again. But it's just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen,” he shared with the outlet. Vice President Kamala Harris previously confirmed in June that if Biden chooses to run again, she will be his running mate.
Former President Donald Trump has not confirmed his 2024 presidential run, but experts believe it could happen. On September 1, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner said that he is “obviously thinking about” running, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence is also believed to enter the race, per The Washington Post. But again, neither politician has confirmed their plans.
Democrats including Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, and Cory Booker ran for president in 2020, so it’s likely that some (or all) are looking to secure the nomination in 2024.
According to Politico, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis — who is running for gubernatorial reelection in this year’s midterms — is seen as a possible presidential candidate in 2024. He and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a Democrat, have been engaged in a heated back-and-forth over the past few months. Politico reports that earlier this month, Newsom paid $100,000 for a campaign ad in DeSantis’s home state of Florida, targeting the governor and Republican officials. In the message, he urged residents to move to California, warning Floridians that “freedom is under attack” in their state. It’s suspected that this feud could lead to a major race between the two governors in 2024.
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