Historically in the United States, midterm primary elections have fewer people turning up at the polls than years when a presidential election is taking place. However, since the shocking win of President Donald Trump in 2016, and the ensuing chaos since he has taken office, 2018 could see an unprecedented turnout at the polls.
But only if everyone is registered to vote in time, and the deadline to vote in the primaries is looming large in several states. Voting this year is more important than ever. Is your state on the list?
THE BLUE WAVE PICKS UP SPEED
According to Huffington Post, more than twice as many women are running for Congress this year than in 2016. The Democrats continue to eke out victories in historically red districts that Trump won by dozens of points, as well.
On top of that, young people are organizing and fighting to drive out politicians supported by the NRA since the shooting in Parkland, Florida. The blue wave continues to pick up speed.
None of that matters, though, if everyone is not registered to vote in time. Following is a list of the 11 states with deadlines in April, as well as the states with deadlines in May and June.
Registering is easy. There are websites like MarchForOurLives.com and RockTheVote.org where you can register online. Or you can visit your local DMV to register in person. If your state isn’t on these lists, click here for more information about your home state.
DEADLINES IN APRIL
ARKANSAS
There are 18 Senate seats up for grabs this year in Arkansas. Registration to vote in the primaries ends April 23. To register to vote in the general election everyone must be registered by Oct. 9.
Primaries in Arkansas are on May 22. Residents are also voting for governor as well as four U.S. Houe of Representatives seats.
Click here for more information.
GEORGIA
The cut-off to vote in the primaries in Georgia is April 24, and the primary election is scheduled to take place May 22. To vote in the general election the registration deadline is Oct. 9.
There are 56 Senate seats up for grabs this year in Georgia as well as hundreds of important state offices and all 180 House seats. On top of that, there are 14 U.S. House Of Representative seats up for grabs.
Georgians can register to vote online or check for more information by clicking here.
IDAHO
The deadline in Idaho to vote in the primary election is April 20. The primary takes place on May 15 and registration to vote in the general election opens up the next day. However, Idaho does allow people to register on election day, as well.
The state governor election is this year in Idaho. There are 35 state Senate seats, 70 state House seats, and two U.S. House of Representatives on this year’s ballot
Idaho allows residents to register online or update their information by clicking here.
INDIANA
To vote in Indiana’s May 8, primary residents must be registered to vote by April 9. Registration to vote in the general election ends Oct. 9.
There is one Senate seat up for grabs, nine U.S. House of Representatives seats, and hundreds of state legislators on the ticket in Indiana this year.
Click here to register online or find out more information.
KENTUCKY
The deadline to register for voting in the primary in Kentucky is April 23, and the election takes place on May 22. October 9 is the cutoff for registering to vote in the general election.
There are 19 state Senate seats on the ballot in Kentucky this year as well as six U.S. House seats.
You can register to vote or get more information by clicking here.
NEBRASKA
Voter registration for the primaries in Nebraska ends on April 30. The primary election will take place on May 15. To vote in the general election, residents must register by Oct. 19.
There are three U.S. House of Representative seats as well as one U.S. Senate seat up for grabs in Nebraska. The governor is up for re-election, and there are also 24 state legislature seats on the ballot also.
Click here to register online or get more information.
NORTH CAROLINA
April 13 is the deadline for registration in North Carolina, and the primary election will take place on May 8. To vote in the general election, residents must be registered by Oct. 12.
In North Carolina, the entire state legislature is up for re-election as well as 13 U.S. House Of Representatives.
Print out a form to register to vote in the state of North Carolina by clicking here.
OHIO
Ohio’s primary will occur on May 8 and the deadline to register to vote in it is April 9.
There is one U.S. Senator seat up for grabs in Ohio as well as 16 representatives for the U.S. House. Also up for re-election is the governor, all 99 of the state House representatives, and 17 state Senate seats.
Ohio residents can register as well as update their information online by clicking here.
OREGON
Deadline to vote in the May 15th primary is April 24 in Oregon. To vote in the general election in November residents must be registered by Oct. 16.
The governor is up for re-election. There are 16 state Senate seats, 60 state House seats, and five U.S. House seats up for grabs as well.
Oregon allows residents to register online or update current information by clicking here.
PENNSYLVANIA
The state primaries in Pennsylvania are scheduled to take place on May 15 and the deadline to register to vote is April 16.
This year in Pennsylvania there are 18 U.S. House seats up for grabs as well as one U.S. Senate seat.Residents will also select a governor as well as 25 of their state Senators and 203 state House reps.
Residents can register to vote or change existing information online by clicking here.
MAY DEADLINES
The following states have primary registration deadlines in May:
- Alabama – May 21
- California – May 21
- District of Columbia – May 28
- Iowa – May 25
- Maine – May 22
- Mississippi – May 7
- Montana – May 7
- Nevada – May 15
- New Jersey – May 15
- New Mexico – May 8
- South Carolina – May 11
- South Dakota – May 21
- Virginia – May 21
- Wisconsin – May 23
JUNE DEADLINES
The following states have registration deadlines to vote in the primaries in June:
- Colorado – June 26
- Maryland – June 5
- New Hampshire – June 5
- Oklahoma – June 8
- Utah – June 19
Whatever you do, get out and get registered because no matter what, if you want to make the orange nightmare end, it will start at the polls.
Feature Image via Pixabay
