From health care to abortion rights to gun control, the 2020 elections are going to have major repercussions for women and families all over the country. Voting has never been more important, but, thanks to COVID-19, it's never felt more complicated or risky.
For some women, knowing who to vote for is easy but knowing how to safely cast a ballot that will definitely get counted feels a little more complicated. Voting in person on election day, early voting in person, or casting a mail-in ballot are all options to consider this year, so we asked 15 moms to share how they'll cast their ballot this year. Read on for their insights and for the reminder that, no matter how it's done, voting is key this year!
The opinions included in this story do not necessarily reflect the views of CafeMom or parent company Wild Sky Media.
Early Voting
"I'm voting early at my local county election office. I work 12 hour shifts as a nurse, so I don't want to worry about missing my chance to vote due to long lines or anything. So I'll go early on my day off to make sure I get my chance." — Serena C., St. Paul, Minnesota
Vote by Mail
"I already voted! I voted by mail this year. I actually always vote by mail. I started when I was in the military and stationed overseas. I almost didn't this year because I was a little nervous about Trump messing with the mail, but I'm trying to have faith!" — Melody S., San Diego, California
Old-School Voting Plans
"I'm old school! I want to vote on election day and I want to take my kids and I want my sticker, the whole thing! I'm prepared to wait in line if I have to. Whatever it takes to get Trump out of office!" — Lorna G., Toledo, Ohio
Masks & Votes
"I usually host an election party, but that's off due to COVID. But I am going to make some red, white, and blue masks and meet some neighborhood friends at the polling station to vote. We'll have coffee in the parking lot afterwards and then hope for the best!" — Andrell F., Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mail-in Voter
"I'm going to vote by mail because I don't want to risk being sick with COVID or not able to wait in line long enough on Election Day. Voting is super important to me, so I want to make sure I get it done!" — Caroline F., Bend, Oregon
Safety First
"My daughter has an auto-immune disease, so we are VERY STRICT on the COVID stuff, so we'll be voting by mail this year. I love to vote in person, but we are safety first this year." — Jess K., New York City, New York
Sticker Please
"I ordered an absentee ballot that I plan to bring in person to an early drop-off site. I’d like to reduce numbers at the polls on Election Day if I can, hence the absentee. But I don’t trust any of the craziness going on right now with mail, ballots, etc. So I will feel much better dropping it off at an official site, in person. Plus I want my sticker!" — Elizabeth J., Saint Paul, Minnesota
Red State Worries
"I’m voting in person, on Election Day. I’m in a red state, and don’t particularly trust that my vote will be counted properly unless I see it go into the box with my own eyes. My husband registered to vote three times as a Democrat after we moved, and couldn’t ever get it to work. He registered as a Republican, and what do you know, he’s on the roll now. Needless to say, I’m skeptical that everything is on the up and up." — Amanda K., Omaha, Nebraska
Backup Plans
"My husband and I asked for absentee forms in case we get sick, but intend to vote in person. Our polling location is never that busy and we have jobs that let us vote at off peak hours — ALL of which reflect our privilege and the privilege of the folks in our neighborhood." — Laura W., Saint Paul, Minnesota
Different This Year
"I requested my ballot early, mailed it in, and tracked it online to ensure that it arrived and made it through the system. Normally, I vote in person, bring my kids, proudly wear my sticker, and tell anyone who will listen that it is essential that we all exercise our civic duty. But this year, I voted by mail for several reasons: I want to help spread out the ballot counting so that it (theoretically) goes more smoothly, I want to leave physical space at the polls for those who do want to be there in person, and I wanted to be sure that my vote was counted in case I or my family becomes too ill to deal with any last-minute absentee ballots. I still got a sticker with my mail-in ballot!" — Christine S., Denver, Colorado
Just Vote
"My wife and I voted early in person but I don't care how other people vote, just please vote! Well, if you are voting for the right guy, anyways! We've never been more worried about our right to stay married than we are right now. Please vote in sane, LGBT+ friendly leaders!" — Maria E., Atlanta, Georgia
Just in Case
"I voted early in person because I wanted to see that my ballot arrived to be counted. I would have preferred to vote on Election Day, but the possibility that I could be down with the virus and unable to vote spurred my decision." — Chris P., Eagan, Minnesota
Anxious Voter
"We have absentee ballots as back-ups, but I believe strongly in in-person voting. I am worried about absentee ballots being challenged. I am worried about something happening to my candidate at the last minute and invalidating my vote (this has happened to me before). I am worried about election obstructors destroying locations where ballots are kept." — Bethany G., St. Paul, Minnesota
Voting Pride
"Voting is one of the things that makes me feel the most pride as an American, so I love to vote in person. This year, I'll vote in my precinct in the morning and then spend the afternoon as an election judge in my neighboring county. I can't wait!" — Rachael Y., Des Moines, Iowa
Road Voter
"I'm a mail-in voter this year! With COVID and the kids doing distance learning, we got an old RV and are doing a year on the road, so we'll be about 1,400 miles from our polling place on election day." — Paige L, Spokane, Washington
