National Center for Transgender Equality: Voting

Voting

Register to Vote

Policymakers who support trans issues and those who are hostile both come into office because people vote. In order to increase the number of trans supportive policymakers in office, trans people and our allies must vote. Register to vote now by clicking here.

Overcoming Voting Obstacles

You can download a complete copy of NCTE's trans voting guide, Overcoming Voting Obstacles: Resources for Transgender People by clicking here. This resource has been updated in January 2008, in time for the 2008 elections.

Everyone should vote!

Unfortunately there are issues that sometimes make it difficult for trans people to vote. Don’t let these barriers stop you from voting—you have a right to vote.

Trans people may find voting to be an intimidating process for many reasons. Below are three trans-specific and general other situations that may arise for some transgender people.

Your name doesn't match
You may have obtained ID with a new name (legal or assumed) which does not match the name listed on the voter rolls. Trans voters should change their names on the voter registration rolls to their new name as soon as possible. Contact your local Registrar of Voters. But you should still be allowed to vote. Bring the ID necessary to show that you are the person who is registered to vote. Some possibilities include old ID cards, court orders, or physician letters.

Your picture doesn't match
The picture (or name) displayed on your ID may no longer match your gender expression. If so, it is important for you to carry whatever identification or documentation is necessary to prove that you are the person registered to vote under that name. Some possibilities might include old ID cards, any court orders or physician letters you may have.

Multiple ID has conflicting information
While we do suggest that you bring enough ID to prove that you are the person who is registered to vote, it is not appropriate for poll workers to ask for more than that. In many places, they may only ask for ID from first-time voters. If you encounter this problem, ask for a provisional ballot and call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Transphobia/Discrimination
Fear of transphobia or discrimination can also play a roll in keeping trans people from voting. Many states offer early voting or absentee balloting; these methods of voting may make some trans people more comfortable. Think about bringing a voting buddy when you go to the polls. You can find information by contacting the Secretary of State in your state. Your Vote Matters has provided a list of all 50 Secretaries of State.

Racial/Ethnic Discrimination
Despite the protections granted by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the disenfranchisement of under-represented voters has continued to be a problem for our nation. The 2000 Election spotlighted Florida’s race-based discrimination in voting practices; unfortunately discrimination based on race and ethnicity is not confined to one state.

Resources:

American Civil Liberties Union Voting Rights Advoacy ,

“The Long Shadow of Jim Crow: Voter Intimidation and Suppression Today”; a joint effort of People for the American Way and NAACP and provides information on race-based voter discrimination

College Student Voters
Trans student voters may feel unwanted in both their home states and where they attend university. The Rights of Students to vote varies from state to state, but all students 18 years old or older have a right to vote.

Resources:

“Not Home Not Welcome: Barriers to Student Voters,” Published by Project Democracy

Rock the Vote, Student Voter Information Guide

United States Student Association, (202) 347-8772

Felony Conviction
Trans people who have been convicted of a felony may believe they can no longer vote. This may be true in some states, but not all.

Resources:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law provides information on the re-enfranchisement process for all 50 states on the web and at (202) 662-8600

Homelessness
Homeless trans people with no physical address may believe they cannot register to vote – this is FALSE.

Resources

The National Coalition for the Homeless, “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote”

Language Barriers
Language barriers may cause some trans people not to vote because they cannot read the ballot. Some states and localities with large populations of under-represented people print ballots in more than one language. Voters may also bring a friend or family member into the voting booth to aid them in casting their ballot.

Resources:

National Council of La Raza, online and at (202) 785-1670

Disability Access
Disabled trans people may not be able to cast their votes without assistance. Voters may bring a friend or family member into the voting booth to aid in casting their ballot.

Resources:

American Association of People with Disabilities, voting information or call (800)840-8844

Transportation Issues
If you need transportation to the polls on Election Day, contact the local chapter of your political party or your local Registrar of Voters.

Locating Your Polling Place
People for the American Way has an online a polling location locator; you can also call People for the American Way at (800) 326-7329 for polling location information.

Address Change
It is a voter’s responsibility to notify the local Registrar of Voters with any change of address status. Each state has its own laws governing change of address procedures—some states allow updates to address status as late as Election Day while others require prior notice. Your state’s Office of the Secretary of State or your local Registrar of Voters can provide you with the requirements for reporting a change of address in your area.

Your Name is Missing from Rolls
If you arrive on Election Day and are not on the voter rolls, you should request a PROVISIONAL BALLOT. Although states are required to create provisional ballots, poll workers may not readily offer them. Do not be afraid to ask for a provisional ballot—you are legally entitled to one. If you feel that you have been incorrectly removed from the voter rolls, contact your state’s Office of the Secretary of State or your local Registrar of Voters.

Resource:
For more information on Provisional Ballots, read “Placebo Ballots: Will Fail Safe Voting Fail?”, published by Demos at

IF YOU ARE TOLD YOU CANNOT VOTE FOR ANY REASON, INSIST ON A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE ELECTION PROTECTION COALITION AT 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

Since the laws vary from state to state, remember to bring identification to the polls that will show you are the person who is registered to vote.

SUMMARY

Bring proof of identity to voting location.
If not allowed to vote, ask for a provisional ballot.
To get help on Election Day call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.
DO NOT LET ANYONE REFUSE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.

Download our free Overcoming Voting Obstacles resource

© 2007 National Center for Transgender Equality
1325 Massachusettes Avenue NW, Suite 700 ▪ Washington, DC 20005 ▪ (202) 903-0112 phone
e-mail the webmanager



On this page Register to Vote Overcoming Voting Obstacles If your name doesn't match If your picture doesn't match Multiple ID has conflicting information Transphobia Racial/Ethnic Discrimination College Student Votes Felony Convictions Homeless Voters Language Barriers Disability Access Transportation Issues Locating your polling place Address change Your name is missing Summary	Voting Register to Vote Policymakers who support trans issues and those who are hostile both come into office because people vote. In order to increase the number of trans supportive policymakers in office, trans people and our allies must vote. Register to vote now by clicking here. Overcoming Voting Obstacles You can download a complete copy of NCTE's trans voting guide, Overcoming Voting Obstacles: Resources for Transgender People by clicking here. This resource has been updated in January 2008, in time for the 2008 elections. Everyone should vote! Unfortunately there are issues that sometimes make it difficult for trans people to vote. Don’t let these barriers stop you from voting—you have a right to vote. Trans people may find voting to be an intimidating process for many reasons. Below are three trans-specific and general other situations that may arise for some transgender people. Your name doesn't match You may have obtained ID with a new name (legal or assumed) which does not match the name listed on the voter rolls. Trans voters should change their names on the voter registration rolls to their new name as soon as possible. Contact your local Registrar of Voters. But you should still be allowed to vote. Bring the ID necessary to show that you are the person who is registered to vote. Some possibilities include old ID cards, court orders, or physician letters. Your picture doesn't match The picture (or name) displayed on your ID may no longer match your gender expression. If so, it is important for you to carry whatever identification or documentation is necessary to prove that you are the person registered to vote under that name. Some possibilities might include old ID cards, any court orders or physician letters you may have. Multiple ID has conflicting information While we do suggest that you bring enough ID to prove that you are the person who is registered to vote, it is not appropriate for poll workers to ask for more than that. In many places, they may only ask for ID from first-time voters. If you encounter this problem, ask for a provisional ballot and call 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Transphobia/Discrimination Fear of transphobia or discrimination can also play a roll in keeping trans people from voting. Many states offer early voting or absentee balloting; these methods of voting may make some trans people more comfortable. Think about bringing a voting buddy when you go to the polls. You can find information by contacting the Secretary of State in your state. Your Vote Matters has provided a list of all 50 Secretaries of State. Racial/Ethnic Discrimination Despite the protections granted by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the disenfranchisement of under-represented voters has continued to be a problem for our nation. The 2000 Election spotlighted Florida’s race-based discrimination in voting practices; unfortunately discrimination based on race and ethnicity is not confined to one state. Resources: American Civil Liberties Union Voting Rights Advoacy , “The Long Shadow of Jim Crow: Voter Intimidation and Suppression Today”; a joint effort of People for the American Way and NAACP and provides information on race-based voter discrimination College Student Voters Trans student voters may feel unwanted in both their home states and where they attend university. The Rights of Students to vote varies from state to state, but all students 18 years old or older have a right to vote. Resources: “Not Home Not Welcome: Barriers to Student Voters,” Published by Project Democracy Rock the Vote, Student Voter Information Guide United States Student Association, (202) 347-8772 Felony Conviction Trans people who have been convicted of a felony may believe they can no longer vote. This may be true in some states, but not all. Resources: The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law provides information on the re-enfranchisement process for all 50 states on the web and at (202) 662-8600 Homelessness Homeless trans people with no physical address may believe they cannot register to vote – this is FALSE. Resources The National Coalition for the Homeless, “You Don’t Need a Home to Vote” Language Barriers Language barriers may cause some trans people not to vote because they cannot read the ballot. Some states and localities with large populations of under-represented people print ballots in more than one language. Voters may also bring a friend or family member into the voting booth to aid them in casting their ballot. Resources: National Council of La Raza, online and at (202) 785-1670 Disability Access Disabled trans people may not be able to cast their votes without assistance. Voters may bring a friend or family member into the voting booth to aid in casting their ballot. Resources: American Association of People with Disabilities, voting information or call (800)840-8844 Transportation Issues If you need transportation to the polls on Election Day, contact the local chapter of your political party or your local Registrar of Voters. Locating Your Polling Place People for the American Way has an online a polling location locator; you can also call People for the American Way at (800) 326-7329 for polling location information. Address Change It is a voter’s responsibility to notify the local Registrar of Voters with any change of address status. Each state has its own laws governing change of address procedures—some states allow updates to address status as late as Election Day while others require prior notice. Your state’s Office of the Secretary of State or your local Registrar of Voters can provide you with the requirements for reporting a change of address in your area. Your Name is Missing from Rolls If you arrive on Election Day and are not on the voter rolls, you should request a PROVISIONAL BALLOT. Although states are required to create provisional ballots, poll workers may not readily offer them. Do not be afraid to ask for a provisional ballot—you are legally entitled to one. If you feel that you have been incorrectly removed from the voter rolls, contact your state’s Office of the Secretary of State or your local Registrar of Voters. Resource: For more information on Provisional Ballots, read “Placebo Ballots: Will Fail Safe Voting Fail?”, published by Demos at IF YOU ARE TOLD YOU CANNOT VOTE FOR ANY REASON, INSIST ON A PROVISIONAL BALLOT AND IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THE ELECTION PROTECTION COALITION AT 1-866-OUR-VOTE. Since the laws vary from state to state, remember to bring identification to the polls that will show you are the person who is registered to vote. SUMMARY Bring proof of identity to voting location. If not allowed to vote, ask for a provisional ballot. To get help on Election Day call 1-866-OUR-VOTE. DO NOT LET ANYONE REFUSE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE.	Download our free Overcoming Voting Obstacles resource
© 2007 National Center for Transgender Equality 1325 Massachusettes Avenue NW, Suite 700 ▪ Washington, DC 20005 ▪ (202) 903-0112 phone e-mail the webmanager Contact us ▪ Issues ▪ Take Action ▪ Resources ▪ News ▪ About NCTE ▪ Join

On this page

Voting

Register to Vote

Overcoming Voting Obstacles

SUMMARY