Election 2024: Answers to Parents' Voting Questions & Voting Resources

Election 2024 is important for many reasons. All 435 US House seats are on the table, as well as 33 US Senate seats, 11 governorships, thousands of state legislators and too many other offices to name here.

Expecting and new parents have a lot to grapple with right now: childcare, maternal health, the environment, racial justice, inflation, education and the economy are just some of the biggest issues affecting families right now.

We believe in helping new parents navigate the journey of parenthood, and voting is a big part of it. Here, we’re answering some common questions from new parents as we head toward Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024—from how to vote in your state and important deadlines to “Can I bring my baby with me to vote?”

Have other questions? Email us at editor@babylist.com.

Voting Questions from Parents

If you’ve never voted before as a parent, you may have some logistical questions about how to vote with a new baby or younger kiddo, particularly if you're voting in person.

We spoke with Jeanette Senecal, Senior Director of Mission Impact with the League of Women Voters, about some common questions parents may have about voting with their kids. Here’s what she has to say.

Can I bring my baby or child into the voting booth with me?

“Yes! Bringing children to vote with you is a wonderful way to introduce them to our democracy," Senecal says. "We know that when young people go to vote with their parents, they are more likely to grow up and become voters themselves. It is not only acceptable to bring children to vote with you, but we encourage you to do so.”

We at Babylist would also add that if your child is small enough, bring them in a baby carrier. This can make it easier for you to navigate the voting booth and leave your hands free to cast your ballot.

Are there age restrictions for children coming into the voting booth?

“As long as they are accompanied by a grown-up, children are allowed at polling sites," Senecal says. "If you are bringing children to the polls, just keep them with you. Some states do have maximum ages for minors permitted in the physical voting booth, but all of those restrictions are for teenagers. As long as you are comfortable having your eyes off your teenager for a couple minutes while you cast your actual ballot, and they can stand or sit nearby, it’s a great way to introduce them to the voting process.”

How many children can I bring in with me at a time?

“A few states do limit voters to one or two children in the voting booth," Senecal says. "It can vary by state, so if you are planning to bring multiple children with you to cast your ballot, check with your local board of elections about the rules. You can find contact information for your local board, as well as all kinds of voting information by state, at VOTE411.org."

What should I do if someone tells me I can’t bring my child in with me?

"No one should prevent you from casting a ballot," Senecal says. "If you are experiencing problems, call 866-OUR-VOTE, the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline. Trained volunteers are standing by to help voters with the process and any issues they might encounter."

Can non-parent caregivers bring a child into the voting booth with them?

“Yes, any voter may bring children with them to vote," Senecal says. "Exposing children to voting and seeing democracy in action can have a lasting impact, so whether it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, babysitter or other caregiver, going to watch a grown-up vote can be an important memory in a young person’s life.”

Any tips for how to deal with waiting in long lines to vote with my child?

“If you are planning to vote in person with children, try to take advantage of early voting, if available in your community, and go to your polling place at non-peak hours when lines are shorter," Senecal recommends. "Late morning and mid-afternoon are great times to beat the crowds.

"If you do find yourself going at a busier time, plan ahead. Bring toys, food, drinks and distractions to keep kids entertained. Try to make a game out of it, and for older kids, it’s a great opportunity to explain how important voting is and why you are there. And if possible, bring an extra set of hands. Bringing a friend or neighbor can be really helpful so you can stay in line while also giving your child more freedom of movement."

Make a voting plan

“It’s really important for parents to make a voting plan," Senecal says, "and that means not only deciding when and where to vote but making sure you know what will be on your ballot. Learning about the candidates and issues you will be asked to choose between can also cut down your time in the polling site.” 

Here's what your voting plan should include:

1. Check your voter registration and/or register to vote 

2. Learn about your early voting options  

3. Explore your day-of voting options and find out if you need to bring anything (like your ID)

4. Research your candidates, ballot measures and propositions

5. Encourage your friends and family to also create a voting plan 

At the nonpartisan election site VOTE411.org, you can make your voting plan, look up your polling site and hours and see what will be on your local ballot ahead of time.

Voting 101 in 2024:

How do I vote in my state? Is it by mail? In person? Either?

“These rules vary by state and many voters will experience different election rules from previous elections, even as recent as 2022," Senecal says. "It is critical that voters learn about their state’s voting options and make a voting plan ahead of time so they can take advantage of the voting option that best fits their needs. You can easily check your state-specific voting rules and navigate all your election-related questions on VOTE411.org. It is available in both English and Spanish."

How do I know if I’m registered to vote?

You can check your voter registration at VOTE411.org. It’s as easy as clicking on your state on the map to get started. Even if you voted in the last election, it’s a great idea to double-check that all your info is up to date and your registration is still active. Life changes such as a move or change of last name should be updated on your voter registration record.

What if I’m not registered to vote?

No problem. Registering to vote is simple and can even be done online in most states. However, each state has different rules and registration deadlines, so it's important to check those state-specific deadlines.

Do I need to bring ID with me to vote?

Every state has different rules, and this is one of the rules that has recently changed in some states. So when you're making your voting plan, it's important to check whether ID is needed and, if so, what ID is accepted. VOTE411.org can help you learn about your state’s rules.  

Currently, 36 states have laws requiring or requesting you show some form of ID at the polls.

How can I learn about the candidates on my ballot? 

This can be a daunting task! But there are lots of resources out there, including your local news organizations. You can also find information at VOTE411.org.

The League of Women Voters asks candidates all across the country where they stand on different issues so you can compare the responses directly from the candidates and decide who will best represent you. If you live in a state that has ballot initiatives, this can help you decide whether you want to vote yes or no on that initiative.

Election Resources

• Complete election resource (VOTE411) 

• Answers to commonly asked voting questions (US Vote Foundation)

• Voting information for states in Spanish (Vote411) 

• Voting info for military and overseas voter information (Federal Voting Assistance Program) 

• See what’s on the ballot in each state (Ballotpedia) 

• How to sign up to be a poll worker (Power the Polls)