The commencement of the 2024 election season is marked by the initiation of voting in Iowa on January 15. This period encompasses the presidential primaries and caucuses across the country, extending until June.
Latinos are projected to account for 14.7% of all eligible voters in November 2024, a new high, according to a new report by the Pew Research Center. This share has steadily increased over the past two decades and is up from 13.6% in 2020. In 2000, by comparison, Hispanics made up just 7.4% of U.S. eligible voters.
Knowing the voting requirements before heading to the polls is essential, as the rules can be complex. Are you eligible to vote in the primary? Is pre-registration necessary? What kind of identification, if any, is needed? We at New Hampshire Latino News (NHLN) want to help you find the answers to these questions.
Implementing new laws in 2023 may change the voting process for the upcoming 2024 elections.
One significant change is the deadline for requesting mailed absentee ballots. Previously, the deadline was 5 p.m. on the day before an election. However, the new laws have moved the deadline to noon the day before the election.
Additionally, voters registering for the first time on Election Day and choosing not to show their ID at the polls will be required to mail their ID within seven days of registering. These voters will receive affidavit ballots, which will be counted on Election Day. However, if the voter fails to submit their ID by the designated deadline, their ballot will be removed from the final count.
Furthermore, redistricting efforts in 2022 have resulted in the redrawing of boundaries for specific state legislative and U.S. congressional districts. This means that some voters may find themselves in different districts than before, potentially impacting the candidates they can vote for in these elections.
You can only vote in the primary of the party with which you are registered. Undeclared voters can choose to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both. After the election, you’ll remain a registered member of that party unless you fill out a request to return to undeclared status, which you can do before leaving your polling place.
Important Dates:
It is important to note that voters are not required to declare a party affiliation to participate in primary elections. However, they can only vote on one party’s ballot during the primary.
While most states utilize primaries to choose their presidential nominees, nine states, including Iowa, continue to opt for caucuses as their selection method. Unlike traditional primaries, where voters privately cast their ballots, caucuses involve them gathering together to express their preferences openly.
For the upcoming election, the Democratic and Republican parties will hold caucuses in Iowa, Idaho, and Wyoming. However, only the Republican party will conduct caucuses in Alaska, Hawaii, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, and Utah.
Registration deadlines and requirements differ across states. In 42 states and the District of Columbia, online registration is available. Additionally, in 22 states and D.C., you can register and vote on the same day. If you choose this route, it is vital to have proof of your residence ready, such as a driver’s license or ID card. Some states may accept documents like paychecks or utility bills with your address as proof of residency. In certain states, same-day registrants may need to sign an affidavit or take an oath attesting to their eligibility and confirming that they still need to vote.
Under the “motor voter” law, states must allow individuals to register at motor vehicle offices. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, approximately one-third of all voter registration applications are submitted through motor vehicle offices annually.
After hosting the Democratic National Convention in 1996, the event will return to Chicago on August 19-22, 2024, at the United Center. The 2024 Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held July 15 to 18, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5.
Resources:
New Hampshire Secretary of State: https://www.sos.nh.gov/elections
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