With the 2012 presidential elections just around the corner, voting and voter rights are a particularly relevant issue. Even if you are completely apathetic to national politics, registering to vote is vital to local community participation. Voting happens at the city, county, state, and federal level. People can vote on various positions, including judgeships, sheriffs, mayors, governorships, county councils, and even who sits on your children’s school board. Being a registered voter also allows you to participate in referendum voting as well and voice your opinion on hot-button issues, like marriage rights, legalizing gambling, and amendments of state constitutions to include anti-sharia laws.

Voting Basics
Voting requirements vary from state to state, but every state requires you to be a U.S. citizen (although a handful of cities in the U.S., like Chicago, will allow non-citizens to vote in municipal elections). In most states, you must be at least 18 years old to vote, but some states do allow 17-year-olds to vote. You must also be registered to vote. (See below on how to register). If you move to a different state or even move to a different county, you should update your registration status. (See below on how to change your voter registration). You can vote even if you are living outside of the United States as long as you still have U.S. citizenship status. Depending on what state you live in, your right to vote may be limited or denied if you have been convicted of a felony.

Registering to Vote
All the states and the District of Columbia vary on voting registration and residency requirements, so detailed instructions cannot be provided here. If you are not registered to vote and would like to be, or if you have recently moved and would like to change your registration, visit: http://www.canivote.org/ or http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/register_to_vote.aspx You can also contact your state election office,http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/contact_ your_state.aspx, who can provide you with the necessary information. If you are living outside of the United States but would still like to vote, visit http://www.fvap.gov/

Protecting your Voting Rights
Your right to vote is protected by a combination of the U.S. Constitution and various federal and state laws. If you encounter a problem at a voting booth—polls opening late, polls closing early, ballots running out, inappropriate challenges to your identity or registration status, confusing ballots, lack of privacy, lack of handicapped accommodation, lack of assistance for people with limited English ability—immediately report the problem to a poll worker or election official. If the issue is not resolved, file a complaint with U.S. Department of Justice at:
Chief, Voting Section
Civil Rights Division Room 7254 - NWB
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20530
Voting.Section@usdoj.gov
1-800-253-3931


Note: From the Islamic perspective, we follow our individual shari' requirements.

The author of this article can be reached via email at Justice360@muslimcongress.org. For more information about Justice360, visit http://www.muslimcongress.org/360.

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