| How to Vote in the Midterm Elections Posted: 03 Nov 2018 01:00 AM PDT In the United States, midterm elections are a round of general elections held in the middle of the current president's term. In 2018, the midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, when voters will decide on seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as state and local bodies. It's important to vote in all elections, but midterms can be especially crucial, since your vote has the power to either cement the current legislative majority or overturn it. Register early, cast your ballot, and make sure your voice gets heard. EditRegistering to Vote - Make sure you're eligible to vote. Although the basic voter eligibility requirements are about the same throughout the country, some states have slight differences in areas such as whether convicted felons or mentally incapacitated people can vote. Look up your state's requirements online to make sure you meet them.[1]
- Register to vote in the state where you live. Every state chooses their own voting requirements, paperwork, and procedure to register new voters. To vote in your state, you'll need to provide a proof of residency, like a lease or utility bill. You're only allowed to register in one state at a time.
- You can switch what state you vote in at any time, but you can't vote in two at once.
- In midterm elections, you'll likely be voting for local officials as well as state and national representatives, so make sure you're registered to vote in the correct state and county.
- Register to vote online for the most convenient option. Currently 37 states and Washington, D.C., allow voters to register online. If your state is one of them, you'll fill out the online form with information like your full name, address, and date of birth. To verify your identity, you'll also need to enter your driver's license or state ID card number, and/or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.[2]
- Register in-person to make sure you fill out your form correctly. You can register to vote in person at local government facilities like the DMV or election offices. You'll bring in at least 2 documents to verify your identity and fill out a registration form in the office, then turn it in right when you're done.[3]
- Registering in-person is quick and easy, and you'll be able to ask the staff on-hand if you have any questions or need help filling out your form.
- To find a local facility where you can register, call your DMV, local election office, military recruiting center, political party branch, or voting assistance center.
- Use mail-in registration if your state doesn't offer online registration. If you feel more comfortable using mail-in registration than online, download the National Mail Voter Registration form online. Print it and fill it out carefully according to the instructions. Attach a copy of your proof of identification, such as a passport or driver's license, and mail it in if required. Then, send the form to the address listed for your state.[4]
- Get your registration in before your state's deadline to be able to vote. If you want to vote in the midterm elections, it's crucial that you turn in your registration before your state's deadline. This will be posted on your state's election website, and you can also find it by searching online.[5]
- Deadlines vary by state, but most are either 25 or 15 days before Election Day.
- Some states have different registration deadlines for online, mail-in, and in-person registration. You may be able to register in-person closer to Election Day, but confirm this beforehand to make sure.
- Once you've successfully registered, you'll receive your voter's registration by mail a few weeks later.
- Check and update your information online. If you're already registered to vote in your state, you still might want to check on your information to make sure it's all correct. This is especially important because some states purge their registration lists regularly, removing any inactive voters. You can make sure you aren't removed by mistake by doing a quick check of your status.[6]
- You can check your voter registration here: https://www.nass.org/can-i-vote. Click "Voter Registration," enter your state, and follow the directions to see your information.
- You can contact your state or local election office to make changes or ask any questions. Find a local election office here: https://www.usa.gov/election-office.
EditVoting Early or Absentee - Get an absentee ballot if you want to skip the polling place. An absentee ballot is a great choice if you want to get your voting done early, or if you won't be in your polling precinct on Election Day to vote in person. To register for an absentee or mail-in ballot, go to your state's election website or office.[7]
- Request an absentee ballot if you live overseas. All states allow members of the military stationed overseas, their dependents, and other U.S. citizens living in another country to use absentee ballots. To register and get more information, go to https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/vote/home.htm. [8]
- Register for permanent absentee voting to save time in future elections. Some states allow you to join a permanent absentee voting list. You'll automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election and won't need to re-register, and you can opt out at any time.[9]
- Vote early if your state allows it. If your state permits early voting, you'll be able to visit a local election office or voting location and cast a vote in-person during a set period before the election. This is a great option if you want to vote in-person but don't have time to do it on Election Day. Currently, 37 states and Washington, D.C., allow early voting. To see if your state is one of them, go to http://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/absentee-and-early-voting.aspx#permanent.[10]
- The early voting window varies by state, and can be as early as 45 days before Election Day or as late as the Friday right before. It typically ends a few days before Election Day.
- You won't need to notify the state that you're voting early, or do any extra registration beyond what's already required.
EditGetting Your Ballot In - Look online to see what polling place to go to. Your name is only on the roster at your assigned polling place, so it's important that you go there to vote. Your polling place is assigned based on the home address you give, but it might have changed from the last election, even if you haven't moved. Check online to find your polling place, its open hours, and other information.[11]
- Check beforehand to see what you need to bring to the voting booth. Many states allow you to simply state your name and address at the polling place, then cast your vote. Others require you to show proof of identity, such as a government or institution-issued photo ID, although some allow a non-photo ID. To see your state's requirements, look online on your state's election website.[12]
- See what time the polls open in your state and go at a convenient time for you. Polling places in most states open by 6-7am, and won't close until 7-8pm. Check the hours for your polling place in particular and plan ahead to decide what time to go.[13]
- Many polling places will get crowded early in the morning, around noon, and from about 5 pm to close. If you decide to go during these times, you may have to wait in a line.
- If you're in line when the polling place closes, you'll still be able to cast your ballot in most states.
- Make sure to fill in your ballot carefully and accurately. Take your time when you get into the booth. Whether you're voting electronically or with paper ballots, make sure to follow all instructions to the best of your ability. If you have any questions, ask the poll workers for help.
- In some states, you won't be allowed to bring anything into the booth with you other than a sample ballot.
- You should go into the booth by yourself, unless you have a young child with you.
- Stay quiet as you're voting and don't discuss your votes with the poll workers or any fellow voters.
EditDeciding Who to Vote For - Look up the candidates and research their views online. Choosing who to vote for is a major decision, and one that impacts the policies that shape the country. Don't make it lightly! Do your own research by looking up each candidate up for election and digging into their views and proposals. Ask yourself whose ideas you most agree with, and who you think would be the best choice for the position.[14]
- Don't just vote for a candidate because a family member, friend, or significant other supports them. Try to what other people think and make the choice for yourself.
- Do research on the candidates' websites and look for unbiased reviews of candidates from neutral sources, like Vote 411 or Vote Smart.
- Doing proper research is especially important in a midterm election. You have the ability to swing power towards or away from the party currently in power, which has a huge impact on the laws that the government can pass.
- Review candidates' track records if they've held office before. If a candidate has held public office before, or if they're running as an incumbent (looking to retain the seat they currently hold), all of their voting history is open to the public. Look it up online to see how they've used their voice in the past, and how their decisions compare to what they say on the campaign trail.[15]
- Go to https://www.congress.gov/ to look at the voting history of a candidate who's served as a U.S. Representative or Senator.
- Go to your state legislature's website to look at the voting history of a candidate who's served in a state government.
- Watch debates to compare the candidates' ideas side-by-side. Most major races will hold debates amongst the top candidates, often broadcast live on local stations. Tune in to these debates to learn more about the candidates and issues, making sure to read between the lines of persuasive rhetoric. Try to listen to what the candidates are really saying, beneath the attractive language they might be using.[16]
- Look over and fill out your sample ballot, if your state sends one. Sample ballots might be sent out by your state or territory, or available online. They'll look exactly like the real ballot you'll see when you vote, and show you all of the candidates you'll be able to vote for, as well as the state and local propositions or measures being proposed. Fill out the sample ballot while you're doing your research to get familiar with the process and help you decide which candidates and proposals you want.[17]
- Most states allow you to bring a sample ballot directly into the voting booth with you, which can speed up the voting process and ensure that you're voting for the people and measures you want.
- Don't forget to wear your "I Voted" sticker!
- You typically only need to register with a political party to vote in primaries, not in general elections like the midterms.
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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| How to Speak Basic French Posted: 02 Nov 2018 09:00 AM PDT French is a beautiful, romantic language, and it's spoken in countries all around the world. If you'd like to learn basic French, start with practical words and phrases. Work on greetings, polite expressions, introducing yourself, and other simple conversational skills. Practice your pronunciation and, if you want to dig a little deeper, learn more about the language's grammar and structure. To study French effectively, make flashcards, read easy French children's books, and write simple daily journal entries in French. EditGreeting Cheat Sheets EditBasic Phrase Cheat Sheets EditLearning Common Words and Phrases - Greet people by saying "salut," "bonjour," and "bonsoir." From starting conversations to greeting passersby, saying hello is the first step in learning basic French. Say "bonjour" (bon-zhur) for the most basic greeting.[1]
- The "j" in "bonjour" is soft; it's a "zh" sound, or a combination between "sh" and "j." Pronounce the "n" just slightly, but try not to let the tip of your tongue hit the roof of your mouth as you would in English. French is pronounced with the back of the mouth and nose more than front of the mouth.
- Bonjour literally means "good day," and is a more formal way to say hello. Say "salut" (sa-loo) for an informal expression, like "hi" in English.
- It's also best to use bonjour during the day. At night, say, "bonsoir" (bon-swarh), which means "good evening."
- Say "au revoir," "bonne nuit," or "salut" to bid farewell. "Au revoir" (ohr-vwah) is the best-known way to say goodbye in French. Literally, it means "until we see each other again." For a more informal expression, you could use "salut," which can mean either "hi" or "bye." While it's Italian, the French also sometimes use "ciao," too, such as "Ciao, salut."[2]
- You can also say, "bonne nuit" (bon-nwee), which means "goodnight."
- Practice saying the alphabet to get a feel for French phonics. Pronounce the vowels a, e, i o, and u as "ah," "eh," "ee," "oh," and "oo." Consonants like b and c, which sound like "bee" and "see" in English, are pronounced "bay" and "say" in French.[3]
- Pronounce the alphabet in French like this: "ah (a), bay (b), say (c), day (d), eh (e), eff (f), zhee (g), osh (h), ee (i), zhay (j), kay (k), elle (l), em (m), en (n), oh (o), pay (p), koo (q), air (r), ess (s), tay (t), oo (u), vay (v), doo-bluh-vay (w), eex (x), ee-grek, (y), zed (z)."
- Practicing the alphabet can help you get to know how vowel and consonant sounds work in French. This can improve your pronunciation, even if you just want to learn how to say a few practical phrases.
- Work on learning how to count in French. Whether you're ordering in a restaurant or telling someone how old you are, knowing your numbers will come in handy. Break it up into steps, and you'll be able to count to 1,000 in no time. On the first day, practice 1 through 10, then work on 11 through 20, and memorize the rest of the tens digits (30, 40, 50, and so on) the next day.[4]
- The numbers 1 through 10 in French are "un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix." Say them like this: "uhn (1), duh (2), trwah (3), katreh (4, the "reh" is subtle, and isn't a distinct syllable), sank (5), sees (6, the "s" sounds are soft, like "cease"), sept (7), weet (8), nuhf (9, it sounds like "surf" without the "r"), dees (10, it rhymes with "cease").
- For a list of numbers with a helpful pronunciation feature, see http://www.languageguide.org/french/numbers.
- Master practical phrases if you're a traveler. If you're visiting a French-speaking location, learn how to ask useful questions, such as "Do you speak English?" or "Where is the bathroom?" Keep in mind there are 2 words for "you" in French; "vous" is polite, and "tu" is informal. Use "tu" if you're talking to a friend, and "vous" if you're asking a passerby for directions.[5]
- To ask "Do you speak English," say, "Parlez-vous anglais?" (par-lay voo ahn-glay). For the informal version, ask "Parle-tu anglais?" (parl-too ahn-glay).
- If you're at a restaurant, say, "Je voudrais" (zhuh voo-dray), which means "I would like." For instance, tell the waiter, "Je voudrais une salade" (zhuh voo-dray oon sah-lod), which means "I would like a salad.
- In an informal setting ask, "Où sont les toilettes?" (oo, sohn lay twah-lette) if you need to find the restroom. If you're at a formal dinner party at someone's home, ask the host, "Excusez-moi, où est-ce que je peux me rafraîchir?" (eh-skew-zay-mwah, oo ess-kuh zhuh puh muh rah-fray-sheer), which means "Excuse me, where can I freshen up?"
- Many French speaker know English but, if you're in France, it's polite to excuse yourself for not knowing French: "Je suis désolé, mais je ne parle pas français" (Zhuh swee day-zo-lay, may zhuh-nuh parl pah frahn-say). This means "I'm sorry, but I don't speak French.[6]
- Memorize the French words for please and thank you. It's always wise to be polite if, say, you're asking for directions or ordering at a restaurant. Recall that there are 2 ways of saying "you." Likewise, there are formal and informal ways of saying "please."[7]
- The formal way of saying "please" is "s'il vous plaît" (see voo play). Say, for instance, "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plaît, parle-tu anglais?" (eh-skew-zay-mwah, see voo play, parl-too ahn-glay), which means "Excuse me, please, do you speak English?"
- The less formal version of "please" is "s'il te plaît" (see teh play). Ask your friend, "Je voudrais de l'eau, s'il te plaît" (zhuh voo-dray deh low, see teh play), which means "I'd like some water, please."
- "Merci" (mair-see) means "thank you." To say "Thank you very much" or "Thanks a lot," say "Merci beaucoup" (mair-see bow-koo) or "Merci bien" (mair-see bee-ehn).
- To say "You're welcome," use "Je vous en prie" (zhuh voo-zawn pree), which is more polite, or "De rien" (deh ree-ehn), which is less formal.
- Learn how to ask and respond to "How are you" in French. To ask someone how they're doing, say "Comment allez-vous?" (koh-mah tahl-ay voo). This is the polite version; less formal alternatives include "Comment vas-tu?" (koh-mah vah-too) and "Ça va?" (sah vah).[8]
- If someone asks how you're doing, you could respond, "Très bien (treh bee-ehn), which means "very good." Other responses include "Pas mal" (pah mahl), which means "not bad," and "Ça va" (sah vah), or "It's going."
- Practice telling others about yourself. Learn how to tell people your name, age, and where you're from, and to ask others about themselves. To introduce yourself, say, "Je m'appelle" ('zhuh mah-pell), which means "My name is."[9]
- To ask someone their name, ask "Comment vous appelez-vous?" (koh-mah voo zah-play voo), which is more polite, or "Comment tu t'appelles? (koh-mah too tah-pell), which is informal.
- Ask, "Quel âge as-tu" (kell-ozh ah-too) or the formal "Quel âge avez-vous" (kell-ozh ah-vay-voo) to ask someone's age. To respond, say, "J'ai 18 ans" (zhay deez-weet ahn), which literally means "I have 18 years."
- "Où habitez-vous" (oo ah-bee-tay voo) and Où habites-tu?" (oo ah-beet too) mean "Where do you live." You'd say, "J'habite à New York, mais je suis de Canada" (zha-beet ah New York, may zhuh swee deh Canada), which means "I live in New York, but I'm from Canada."
EditImproving Your Language Skills - Practice your pronunciation, especially the French "R." Listen to spoken French, and practice mimicking the way sounds are formed in the throat instead of the front of the mouth. For example in English, the "r" sound is made in the front of the mouth with the lips and teeth. French speakers, on the other hand, make the "r" sound by drawing the back of the tongue close to the soft palate.[10]
- One of the best ways to improve your pronunciation is to get a French speaker to correct your mistakes. If you know a native speaker or someone who's fluent, ask them to help you develop a better accent.[11]
- Familiarize yourself with gendered words. In French, all nouns and adjectives are either masculine or feminine. Many words that end in "e" are feminine, but keep in mind there are lots of exceptions! The key thing to know is that the adjective's gender must match the noun's gender.[12]
- Additionally, if a noun is plural, an adjective that describes it must also be plural. You'd use "Sam est petit," (Sam eh puh-tee) to say Sam, who's a boy, is short. If Sam and Beth, who are girls, are both short, you'd say "Sam et Beth sont petites" (Sam aye Beth sohn puh-teet).
- Articles, such as "the" and "a," also need to match the gender and number. "Un" and "une" (uh and oohn) are the masculine and feminine versions of "a." "Le," "la," and "les" (luh, lah, and lay) are the masculine, feminine, and plural ways of saying "the." You'd use "l'" for words that begin with vowels: "l'école."
- If you're describing yourself, make sure the adjective matches your gender. For instance, "Je suis américain" (zhuh sweez-ah-may-ree-keh) is masculine, and "Je suis américaine" (zhuh sweez-ah-may-ree-kenn) is feminine.
- Learn about how the verb "to have" is used in French. Knowing when to use "être" (to be) and "avoir" (to have) can get a little tricky, but it's a key aspect of basic French. In French, you'd use the verb "to have" to say "I'm hungry" and "I'm thirsty." For instance, the literal translations of "J'ai faim" (zhay feh) and "J'ai soif" (zhay swof) are "I have hunger" and "I have thirst."[13]
- To ask someone if they're hungry, use "Avez-vous faim?" (ah-vay voo feh) or "As-tu faim? (ah-too feh). Swap out "faim" with "soif" (swof) to ask if they're thirsty, and "sommeil" (soh-may) to ask if they're sleepy.
- The verb "to have" is always used to express conditions such as hunger, thirst, and fatigue. Use "être" (to be) for adjectives such as gender and nationality.
EditUsing Effective Study Techniques - Memorize daily or weekly vocabulary lists. Make vocabulary lists at your own pace. For instance, make a list of 10 new words or phrases every day, or use a word of the day calendar to add 1 new word to your vocabulary per day.[14]
- When you study, review your previous list or word to keep it fresh, then move on to new material.
- Try making themed lists, such as foods, body parts, and household objects. If you're traveling to a francophone country and want to study vacation-related vocabulary words, check out https://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/html/toc/03.html.
- Make flashcards to build your vocabulary. Write down a word in French on one side of the flashcard, and the translation on the other. When you write down the French word and its translation, say them out loud. Quiz yourself, or have someone help you study your flashcards.[15]
- Seeing, writing, and speaking the translations out loud can help you commit your vocabulary words to memory.[16]
- Watch French movies and TV shows. French is spoken rapidly, so try renting or buying French films or TV shows to get used to hearing and understanding the language. You can also search for videos on YouTube and other streaming services.[17]
- You may be able to select French dubbing for English TV shows and movies on DVD, so check audio menus.
- Read children's books in French. Flashcards can help build your vocabulary, but you should also try to learn how to use the words in context. The language in children's books is simple, and illustrations can help you guess words that you don't know.[18]
- Look online or at a library for French children's books. You can also download free or cheap ebooks on your e-reader or other electronic device.
- Write journal entries about your day in French. Once you have a grasp of basic French, practice writing a few short sentences in French every day. They don't have to be complex, especially when you first begin. To reinforce your vocabulary, try incorporating words from your daily or weekly lists.[19]
- For instance, you might write, "Aujourd'hui c'est dimanche, le 7 Octobre. J'ai déjeuné avec ma cousine. J'ai mangé une salade de poulet, de la laitue, des épinards, des oignons, et des tomates."
- That translates to "Today is Sunday, October 7. I had lunch with my cousin. I had a salad with chicken, lettuce, spinach, onions, and tomatoes."
- If you have a friend or relative who speaks French, ask them to read your entries and correct any errors.
- When asking a question, remember to bring up the pitch of your voice at the end of the phrase. If you lower the pitch of your voice, "Ça va" means "It's going," and "Tu as faim" means "You are hungry." If you raise the pitch of your voice at the end of these phrases, they mean "How are you?" and "Are you hungry?"
- Remember to use the formal "vous" to show respect to strangers, professors, bosses, and elders. You would use informal phrases only when speaking to children, friends, or family members.
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