Stressing about heading to the polls? Here are tips for preparing to vote.

Each week, MS NOW legal analyst Andrew Weissmann, co-host of our “Main Justice” podcast, answers legal questions from our audience in our MS NOW Membership exclusive series, “Answers with Andrew Weissmann.”

In light of the volume of audience questions about the midterm elections, including about voting and election procedures, this week Weissmann invited former Maricopa County recorder Stephen Richer to join him on the show for an election-focused conversation. Richer, a Republican, oversaw voter registration and other aspects of elections in Maricopa County, Arizona, from January 2021 to January 2025.

In the video above, Weissmann and Richer discuss options for people preparing to vote — plan in advance and go early, they advise — and what to do if voters are concerned they have witnessed harassment or that their ballot isn’t being recorded properly.

Eight tips for people preparing to vote:

Stay in line if the polls close; you are entitled to cast your vote if you are in line before the closing time.

Every state is different — know your state’s voting laws (even things like rules on handing out water to people in line).

Some states require photo ID and some do not.

If you make a mistake on your ballot, ask for a new one.

If the machines are down at your polling place, ask for a paper ballot.

If you run into problems at the polls, report it to a poll worker or call 866-OUR-VOTE.

Sending armed federal agents, including those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to election sites is illegal. Federal law and many states’ laws prohibit not only armed federal agents at polling sites but also interference in elections or voter intimidation by any officials or private citizens.

You are not required to know how to speak, read or write English to vote. The Voting Rights Act guarantees you the right to bring an assister or translator of your choice when voting as long as they are not your employer or a labor union representative.

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