How To Politically Engage in US Elections Regardless of Age or Immigration Status

Whether or not you can vote, every voice deserves to be heard. And depending on your age and citizenship status, there are various ways you can get involved. Learn more with our “Get Out the Vote” guide below!

Worried about the results of this year’s election? We’ve put together some guidance for you on how to manage election anxiety.

US Citizens

$ 99

Per Month
  • Vote – Learn More
  • Work for campaigns (Paid)
  • Work as poll workers
  • Volunteer (Unpaid)
  • Host a fundraiser
  • Donate
  • Put up lawn signs
  • Contact your representatives

US Citizen Youth

$ 99

Per Month
  • Work for campaigns (Paid)
  • Volunteer (Unpaid)
  • Host a fundraiser
  • Donate
  • Put up lawn signs
  • Contact your representatives
  • Vote
  • Work as poll workers

Green Card Holders

$ 99

Per Month
  • Work for campaigns (Paid)
  • Volunteer (Unpaid)
  • Host a fundraiser
  • Donate
  • Put up lawn signs
  • Contact your representatives
  • Vote
  • Work as poll workers

Other Non-Citizens

$ 99

Per Month
  • Volunteer (Unpaid)
  • Put up lawn signs
  • Contact your representatives
  • Vote
  • Work as poll workers
  • Work for campaigns (Paid)
  • Host a fundraiser
  • Donate

Guidelines for U.S. Citizens

As we approach election day, remember that this is your chance to shape your community and influence the issues that matter to you. Use the resources below to make sure you are heard!

1. Register to Vote

  • Check your voter registration information: Visit CanIVote.org.
  • Moved recently? Make sure that your address is updated in your voter registration.
  • North Dakota Residents: North Dakota does not require voter registration. Instead, all voters are required to bring a valid form of identification to their polling place.
  • First-time voter? Check your state’s specific voting requirements and deadlines at the Board of Elections or Secretary of State’s website.

2. Know the Issues

  • Research candidates and issues: Make informed choices to select the people who will best represent your interests.
    • Use trustworthy resources to understand where candidates stand on topics that matter to you.
  • Talk to your peers: Learn why others might think differently to broaden your perspective.
  • Focus on what matters: Prioritize the issues that are important to you, instead of those most commonly discussed.

3. Plan Your Vote

  • Decide how you’ll vote: In person, early, or by mail. Double-check your registration to ensure your preferred method is selected.
  • Early Voting:
    • Most states allow early voting. Check your state’s specific policies and deadlines at Vote.org.
    • Mail-in Voting: Review your state’s requirements for absentee ballots at CanIVote.org.
    • Automatic Mail-in States: If you live in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, or Washington D.C., all eligible voters are automatically sent mail-in ballots.
      • You can also submit your ballot in person at an official dropbox.
  • Know before you go: Find sample ballots using this page from the US Voting Foundation to learn what’s on your ballot, including federal, state, and local elections.

4. Vote

  • Don’t forget to cast your ballot!
    • If voting in person, know your polling place and its hours by checking CanIVote.org.
    • If voting by mail, send in your ballot early to ensure it’s counted.

Guidelines for the Youth

Even if you’re too young to vote, there are plenty of ways to get involved in the election process. See below how you can take action!

1. Work for Change

  • Certain states allow citizens under 18 to work as poll workers. Check your local policies at CanIVote.org to learn more!
    • Allow residents who will be 18 before the next election: District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
    • Allow 16-year-old residents: Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, New Jersey, North Dakota
    • Allow 17 ½ residents: Michigan, Missouri
    • Pre-registered 16-year-olds: Florida, Hawaii

Special cases:

    • Kentucky allows one 17-year-old who will be 18 before the day of the election to work at each precinct
    • New Hampshire allows 17-year-olds to serve as assistant election officials at central polling places in state elections.
    • South Carolina allows certain 16 or 17-year-olds to serve as poll manager assistants.
    • Vermont allows 16 and 17-year-olds to serve as assistant election officers.
    • Nebraska allows one student worker who is at least 16 years old per precinct.
  • Depending on local policies, you can also get involved with phone banks, campaign offices, or door knocking.

Pre-Registering to Vote Before 18

  • 50 states allow people to register to vote for their first eligible election before they turn 18. North Dakota instead requires all voters to bring a valid form of identification on Election Day. Find out more about your state from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

2. Stay Involved

  • Donate to causes that matter to you: A coerced or reimbursed donation to a political campaign is a federal offense. If you donate, make sure it is to a cause you care about, with your own money.
  • Know the Issues:
    • Use trustworthy resources to understand where candidates stand on the topics that matter to you.
    • Talk to your peers to learn why the other side thinks the way they do.
    • Focus on the issues that matter most to you, instead of the points others discuss most.

Guidelines for Non-Citizens

Your voice matters, even if you don’t have a vote! There are many ways for non-citizens to be politically active and make a difference lawfully. Here’s how you can get involved:

1. Educate Yourself

  • Learn about the issues and candidates that matter most to you. Follow reliable news sources, read books on topics that interest you, attend local debates, and discuss with friends.

2. How to Politically Engage

  • Green card holders can donate to political campaigns in the United States, but it is illegal for H1B and non-immigrant visa holders to donate to political campaigns.
  • Anyone can get lawn signs to show support. If you live in a neighborhood with an HOA or similar community association, make sure your display does not violate any policies.
    • To request a lawn sign, contact the candidate’s local campaign office. If they ask for a donation, explain that your residency status makes it illegal to donate but you’d still like to show support in this way. Here’s a script to avoid confusion:

    “Hi, I’m interested in showing support for [SPECIFIC CANDIDATE], but since I am not a US citizen, I cannot donate to the campaign. Would it be possible to receive lawn signs to display in my yard?”

  • Check your local government policies if non-citizens can vote in local elections. 16+ jurisdictions do:
    • San Francisco allows resident non-citizen parents and guardians to vote in school board elections.
    • 11 municipalities in Maryland and 2 in Vermont allow noncitizen voting in local elections.
    • Washington D.C. allows noncitizen residents to vote in all non-federal elections.
  • Volunteer with local nonprofit organizations to support issues and candidates.

3. Contact Your Representatives

  • Make your voice heard by contacting the representatives elected to represent you and your community. As a community member who lives, works, and goes to school in the United States, your opinions are considered with every decision a politician makes, even if you are not a US citizen.
    • Clearly and respectfully state your concerns.
    • Suggest specific actions that can be taken.

4. Spread the Word

  • Encourage US citizen friends and family to register and vote to help advocate for your shared interests. Your enthusiasm can inspire others!

Let’s make sure the Hindu community is heard

Get out the vote! Learn more about the policies that matter most to Hindu Americans.

Learn More