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Both presidential candidates are scheduled to run in the 2024 election, but there’s a lot more happening further down the ballot that could have just as big an impact on your daily life when you vote in just over 8 weeks.
The highlight of this year’s election campaign is the presidential race between Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris and her vice presidential nominee Tim Walz and Republican candidate former President Donald Trump and his running mate JD Vance.
Given the attention focused on them and their national interests, presidential elections are traditionally a much higher turnout in elections than midterm elections. But most ballots also include state and local candidates and often baffling ballot initiatives that, if approved, would amend a state’s constitution, change state law, or fund a project or initiative through a bond.
Here’s how to see what’s on your state’s ballot this election. For more information about the election, here’s how to find out if you’re registered to vote.
When is Election Day in 2024?
This year, election day falls on Tuesday, November 5. The general elections have traditionally been held on the first Tuesday of November every year since 1845.
Additionally, many states also hold early voting periods, for those who want to get a head start on the process or for anyone who doesn’t have time to get to the polls during the week. Here’s how to tell if your state allows early voting.
What else is on my ballot this year?
In addition to the headline-grabbing presidential elections, many states have other federal-level positions that are up for grabs. These include senators, who serve six-year terms, and representatives, who serve two-year terms and are therefore up for re-election during each presidential and midterm election year.
You can also find state legislative elections, as well as ballot initiatives that allow voters to decide on changes to state policy. Most will have one or two ballot proposals, but some states, like California, will have a handful, making the ability to find the referendums in one place essential for researching your interests.
Where can I find my ballot online?
While you can wait for your election officials to send you a sample ballot in the mail to help you prepare for how you’ll vote, many states share sample ballots online in advance of the election. For many states, this is done by county officials, but some statewide offices also offer sample ballot services. Many of these sources may also not be updated with general election ballots until close to Election Day, since their ballots are still taking shape. Here are some of your options, depending on where you live.
Alabama let yourself be found your sample ballot by province and party preference.
Alaska don’t let go sample ballot papers until about 50 days before the election, but you can check it out Alaska’s Voting Now.
Arizona does not have a central, statewide sample ballot information page, although certain counties allow you to view what is on your ballot on their websites. Otherwise, residents can check their address at Ballotpedia.
Arkansas has a Voice displaypage which includes sample ballots.
California Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Colorado This allows you to view your ballot on the official website of the State Secretary.
Connecticut shares sample ballots for important elections on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairsbut the ballots for this year’s general election have not yet been sent out.
Delaware provides certain election information through a Voice displaypage.
Florida Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Georgia This allows you to view a sample ballot on the official website of the state government.
Hawaii does not currently have sample ballots for the 2024 election, but has provided them in the past. Available information can be found via Ballotpedia.
Idaho Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Illinois Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Indiana you can find your sample ballot via the official website of the state government.
Iowa Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Kansas provides certain election information through a Voice display page.
Kentucky offers a list of sample ballots per province, but it has yet to be updated with general election ballots and still only shows information about the 2024 primary. This will likely be updated closer to Election Day.
Louisiana offers the ability to view sample ballots onlinebut ballots for the general election are not available until three weeks before Election Day.
Maine has shared a variety of spreadsheets online with information about candidates and votes, but not in the form of a sample ballot.
Maryland has sample ballots available online per province but calls them ‘checking ballots’.
Massachusetts offers lists of candidates by party preference that you can view via by entering the address you are registered at. These lists currently lack an entry for the presidential elections.
Michigan This allows you to view your ballot on its own screen Michigan Voter Information Center site by entering the election you wish to watch, your province, jurisdiction and constituency, although ballots for the 2024 general election are not yet available.
Minnesota This allows you to check the candidates on your ballot for the State Secretary‘s webpage by entering your address.
Mississippi Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Missouri allow voters to check their sample ballots via the Secretary of State’s website Look up voter informationpage.
Montana Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Nebraska offers sample ballots on the State Secretary’s website Elections 2024 page, although ballots for the general election may not be available until just before Election Day.
Nevada Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
New Hampshire This allows you to search for sample ballots by party on its State Secretary websitebut ballots for the general election may not be available until just before Election Day.
New Jersey Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote, but they may not be available until later in September.
New Mexico you can find your sample ballot on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs My registration details page.
New York Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote, but availability may vary.
North Carolina This allows you to search for sample ballots using Search voters on the website of the State Election Council.
North Dakota you can find sample ballots using the My voting information page on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Ohio Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote, and a provincial guide is available on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Oklahoma offers sample information about ballots and more on its website. Voter Portal page.
Oregon offers sample information about ballots and more on its website. My voice website.
Pennsylvania Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Rhode Island you can find your ballot sample via the Voter Information Center page on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
South Carolina you can find your sample ballot by filling out the form online MyVoices form.
South Dakota let you find your ballot via its Voter Information Portal of the Minister of Foreign Affairsplace.
Tennessee shares voting and ballot information through its GaVoteTN application.
Texas provides information about the candidates running in the general elections on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Current election information page.
Utah Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
Vermont you can find your ballot by logging in to the website My voter page.
Virginia provides a list of candidates for the general election on its website Elections Department websitewith sample ballots available on the province’s election websites.
Washington Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
West Virginia Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote, and a provincial guide is available on the website of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Wisconsin you can search for your ballot using a search function on the official website MyVoice place.
Wyoming Voters can find sample ballots through the official website of the county where they are registered to vote.
A few nonpartisan websites also collect links to sample ballots, including Ballotpedia’s example of a ballot lookuppage and Voting guide from Vote411These sites, particularly Ballotpedia, can provide you with up-to-date information from anywhere in the country, even if your state’s specific sources haven’t yet been updated for the general election.
Enter your address, for example, and Ballotpedia will give you an up-to-date list of the races and candidates on your district ballot. This includes a full list of candidates seeking each office and their party affiliation, as well as a brief summary of all ballot initiatives.
Clicking on a candidate’s name will provide a summary of available background information, including previous elected positions, careers prior to entering politics, education, and religious beliefs. You’ll also find links to official campaign websites and social media profiles.
For more information on this year’s election, read about how AI could influence the vote and how election officials are preparing for the fall.
