Americans are really anxious about the upcoming election. Almost 70 percent say it’s a “significant source of stress,” according to the American Psychological Association (a 40 percent increase from 2016), and for good reason. At stake is another four years of a president who refuses to condemn white-supremacist groups, stokes violence, and downplays a pandemic that has killed over 200,000 Americans. Trump has also threatened to reject the results if he doesn’t win. That could mean a messy court battle, mass protests in the streets, and, in the worst-case scenario, a complete overturn of democracy.
The election is on Tuesday. And while it may be tempting to bury your head under blankets, there are still ways you can help defeat Trump. Here are eight actions to take:
Vote.
It’s obvious but supremely important: Make sure you cast a ballot. (Almost 40 percent of eligible voters didn’t participate in the 2016 election.) First off, double-check that you’re registered. Then, make a plan. Figure out where and when you’re voting, along with the kind of ID you need, which varies by state. (The USPS recommended cutoff date for mailing in ballots was October 27, so deliver yours directly to the polling site or make a plan B.) Arrange for taking some time off work as well as transportation and child care if need be. In short: Act like your most type-A friend so everything goes smoothly. And if you want to be extra prepared, preview a sample ballot to research local candidates and issues before you vote.
Now, make everyone you know vote.
Once you’ve figured out your own plan, it’s time to help others get to the polls. Encourage your family and friends to vote, which research shows is the best way to engage cynical or apathetic people. (If you want to try to persuade them to vote blue, here are some resources.) If you’re looking for virtual options, you can download an app called VoteWithMe, which searches your contact list and highlights people in swing states whose votes could have the most impact. All you have to do is send them a reminder text. There’s also the Vote Joe app from the Biden campaign, which does basically the same thing.
Reach people in battleground states.
A handful of swing states, like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Georgia, will determine who wins the 2020 election. If you live in one of these places, you can sign up to canvass in person. But there are also lots of ways to help remotely. Organizations like Swing Left and Mobilize have made it easy to join phone and text banks to make sure voters in key states cast a ballot; all you have to do is pick a time slot and do a quick Zoom training. If you speak Spanish, that’s a bonus.
If you’re looking to go beyond get-out-the-vote calls, there are options. You can sign up to persuade undecided voters by doing “deep canvassing,” which involves personal conversations about a person’s beliefs and prejudices (there are upcoming opportunities to speak over the phone with potential voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Arizona). The group Vote Save America allows you to “adopt a state” and will send you action items, such as sharing content about Trump’s disastrous policies in a specific place or donating to groups in the area trying to register voters.
Help protect voting rights.
Republicans are actively fighting to suppress the vote, most recently by asking the Supreme Court for restrictions on the deadline for mail-in ballots. But you can help make sure everyone’s vote is fairly counted. While in many states it’s too late to sign up to be a poll worker or monitor, the Democratic Party has set up voter-protection phone banks. Places like Wisconsin and North Carolina need volunteers to make sure people know about all their voting options (curbside, early voting), how to fill out absentee ballots, and how to fix rejected ballots.
Some states and legal organizations have set up Election Day hotlines and need volunteers to answer voter questions and complaints. (Election Protection is a good place to contact.) You can also apply to be a social-media monitor, which involves scanning platforms like Facebook and Twitter for disinformation and voter problems, like suppression or intimidation.
Order pizza to the polls (really!).
There are lots of ways you can make sure people in your neighborhood or wider community participate in this election. You can contact your county board of elections to join a MAT (a multi-partisan assistance team) to help people who live in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes to vote. You can share information with your neighbors about your voting location and wait times. Offer them rides to polling stations if you have or can rent a car. Ask your neighborhood association to spread the word or coordinate with local political parties who are organizing these efforts (and, of course, make sure to follow COVID-19 guidelines). And perhaps my favorite suggestion of all: Donate or report long lines to Pizza to the Polls, an organization that will send over reinforcements so no one gets too hangry to vote.
Be very, very vocal.
This may be the only time I’ve ever given this advice, but spend some time on social media. Help drum up enthusiasm by posting an “I voted” selfie on Instagram. Swarm your channels with info about where the candidates stand on key issues, same-day voter registration (a possibility in 21 states), and important deadlines — anything to help people be more prepared. Or if you’ve got creative skills, sign up to make GIFs, memes, and graphics for the Biden campaign.
Donate
Now is a great time to put your money where your anxiety is. And yes, it can still make a difference this late in the game. Consider donating to the Immediate Impact Fund, which gives 100 percent of the money to Democratic candidates in the closest Election Day races to help flip the Senate and win key state legislatures. You can donate to groups working to register voters from vulnerable populations, like indigenous or immigrant voters. Voting-rights and legal organizations like Fair Fight, Rock the Vote, and the Brennan Center for Justice are also great places to support (a more exhaustive list is here).
Make Plans for After Election Day
Trump has said multiple times that he won’t accept a Biden presidency, so it’s time to steel yourself for that reality. Prepare to be part of a movement to protest and take action if the president loses and refuses to step down. The organizations Mobilize and Protect the Results will both be compiling information about virtual and in-person events — and they are predicting a strong need for mass mobilization on November 4. Also keep an eye on updates from legal organizations like Protect Democracy and the Campaign Legal Center, whose lawyers are preparing to defend democracy in the event of contested election results and may need your help.
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