What Are You Doing on Tuesday?

Last call, folks!

The most important thing to do on Tuesday is vote, and remind others to vote.

Yes, everyone’s thinking about who will be president, but Congressional and local races are important too. If you haven’t done so already, go to your state’s website for elections (often called “Secretary of State” or “Board of Elections”) to find a copy of what your ballot will look like. If you don’t recognize a candidate’s name, take a minute to look them up online and see who’s endorsed them.

Know your voting rights. Keep the ACLU’s voting rights guide on hand in case there’s a problem. It includes what to do if the poll worker doesn’t see your name on the list of registered voters, if you need an accommodation for a disability or a language barrier, or if someone is harassing or lying to you to prevent you from voting.

Ask your friends if they’ve voted. They may need a ride or other assistance. If you go with them, you can make it a lunch date.

If you can drive more neighbors to the polls, offer your help to organizations like Lift Our Vote, Rideshare2Vote, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, or the Harris campaign itself.

Think about inviting some friends over. You might call it a “party.” If you’re processing different feelings, it could be a “gathering” or a “space.” Either way, it’s a reason to spend time together and reconnect over shared values. Planning some movies, games, cookie baking, or crafts can help you all take a break from news.

On Tuesday, in the seven swing states, polls will close between 7–10 p.m. ET.

7 p.m. ET — Georgia
7:30 p.m. ET — North Carolina
8 p.m. ET — Pennsylvania
9 p.m. ET — Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin
10 p.m. ET — Nevada

It’s possible that Georgia, North Carolina, and Michigan could be called before midnight ET and that the other four swing states could be called on Wednesday.

However, don’t expect to know who won until the weekend or even beyond. In 2020, the race was called for Biden four days after Election Day. The closer the margin of victory, the longer it takes to be sure.

Make sure everyone knows before they head to the polls:

Kamala Harris has an economic plan called A New Way Forward for the Middle Class. Her economic plans include cutting taxes for middle-class families, making rent more affordable and home ownership more attainable, growing small businesses, investing in affordable child care and long term care, and lowering energy costs together with tackling the climate crisis. Her policies also include restoring reproductive freedoms, protecting civil rights, keeping communities safe from gun violence, addressing the opioid and fentanyl crisis, and supporting veterans.

As Elwood Watson reminds us, Donald Trump — by contrast — appointed justices who overturned the right to abortion, and “the conservative forces rallying behind him are now intent on imposing a national abortion ban,” taking aim at birth control and IVF too. Furthermore, the Project 2025 agenda would empower Trump to carry out his promises to “weaponize the federal government and the Justice Department into political tools to exact revenge on his political enemies.” Meanwhile, “his searing disdain for non-White immigrants is classic racism,” and “his bone-deep dishonesty, hypocrisy, and avarice make him virulently unsuitable for office.”

Not only Democrats, but also some Republicans, are voting for Harris. Those who turn away from Trump toward Harris “recognize that this election is about something more basic than simple partisan interest,” Watson says. “It is about absolute principles that extend beyond party.”