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How to Vote in US Senate Elections

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The US Senate is part of the elected law-making body of America. Together with the lower house, the House of Representatives, the Senate is part of the US Congress. As the upper chamber in the lawmaking arrangement, the Senate is of particular importance in national politics. Each state is able to elect two senators to the body.

Due to its position in the legislature, the Senate has powers unique to it that even the House of Representatives does not have. For example, the Senate can confirm judges to the Supreme Court, members of the president's cabinet, as well as other key government appointments. The powers of the Senate in shaping American laws and policies confer great importance to senatorial elections. For example, in 2014, around $3.8 billion was spent on campaigning for senatorial elections.

When Do Senate Elections Take Place?

Senate elections take place roughly every two years. In any election year, however, not all of the 100 Senate seats are up for grabs. Senate elections take place in a staggered way in which about a third of the Senate's seats are contested each election cycle. This means that a state will typically only have a single Senate seat eligible for the vote, with the other one eligible for elections in two or four years' time.

The actual voting day is set to be on a Tuesday after the first Monday of the month. Senate elections will occur in an even-numbered year. For example, there were Senate elections in 2014, and again in 2016. Approximately one third of Senate seat elections coincide with presidential election years.

Voting Eligibility

Each state has its own voting eligibility rules. Typically, you will need to be 18 years or older in order to be allowed to vote. You will also need proof of residency in the state where you will vote.

You may be eligible to cast your ballot by absentee voting in case of circumstances that prevent your presence on the voting day. For example, if you are sick or injured, your state might allow you to cast an absentee ballot by mail. Certain states extend eligibility for absentee ballot to all citizens regardless of mitigating circumstances.

In order to cast your vote, certain states will demand that you present a valid identification card. This requirement is waived in several states.

Registering to Vote

Voter registration takes place at designated voter registration centers in every state. Designated voter registrations centers may include, among others:

Department of motor vehicles (DMV) offices
Public schools
Recruitment centers for the military services
Public libraries

Many of the states now offer options to register online for your vote. To register online, you will need to check with your state for registration procedures and if this option is available for you. Follow the state's instructions, paying particular attention to ensuring you register before the deadline. Voter registration deadlines depend on the state in which you live.

Early Voting

Most states allow you the opportunity to cast your vote in advance of election day. This is called 'early voting' Most states allow any eligible voter to cast their vote during the early voting time period. Actual dates for early voting vary from state to state. For example, votes may be cast in some states more than 40 days before the election day. On average, early votes will begin to be cast around 22 days before the election day.

You can check with your state election office to ascertain the early voting dates in case you are interested in casting an early vote during a Senate election. You may go to cast your vote at a designated early voting location. This could be the offices of election officials, shopping malls, or other public locations where early voting facilities have been set up by the state.

What to Do on Voting Day?

On election day, registered voters can cast their votes for the Senate. In order to vote, you must present yourself at a polling station with the necessary identification documents. The polling station that applies for you will depend on your residential address. It could be a public school, state building, or other such location. Ensure to show up at the designated voting location for your county or address because other locations will not allow you to cast a vote. Present your driver's license, passport, state ID, or other photo ID in order to cast your vote. If you received the sample ballot in the mail, study it beforehand so that you are familiar with the candidates and whom you want to cast your vote for.