How to vote (in the US) if you have social anxiety

Since election season is coming up in the US (it will be on Nov. 8th in 2022, but the deadline to register is Oct 17th), I figured it would be a good idea to make a post about this. I'd never voted until recently because I was super nervous about the whole process and what it might entail, so I figured I would make a guide for anyone else in the hopes that at least a few people will feel confident enough to vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Obviously this only really applies to folks in the US.

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Here we go.

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So step #1 is to make sure you're registered to vote. As mentioned previously, you've gotta do this before October 17th. I'd recommend registering via vote.org which allows you to check if you're registered, will give you the address you need to go to if you already have, and allows you to register very easily if you aren't already.

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Step #2 - do you want to vote by mail or in person? Obviously, voting by mail is preferable for someone with social anxiety. Personally, I chose to vote in person in 2020 and it was honestly super easy and painless (which is why I'm making this thread) but if you do want to vote by mail (which I'd strongly recommend if you have a schedule that would make it difficult to come in to vote) then you can look at this resource (https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a41030366/how-to-vote-by-mail-absentee/) or vote.org for more information. Check here (https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/) for the specific deadlines for mail-in ballots for your state.

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So, if you decide to vote by mail, Step #3 will be to print out the correct form (or have the ballot mailed to you), fill it out, and mail it back. (Just remember to do it by the deadline.) Simple. Congrats! You've officially voted! Yay, democracy.

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If you're like me and want to vote in person (but are maybe a little concerned about what that actually entails) or have missed the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot (see this link, they vary by state) then here's what I'd suggest for how to do it in person.

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HOW TO VOTE (in person) IN THE US:

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If you're voting in person, then Step #3 is to double (and possibly triple) check the address where you're supposed to vote. You can find it online at vote.org. Also, when you register to vote, you should receive a confirmation in the mail with the correct address. If you give the vote.org folks your phone number, you should receive a text message as well. Point is, the information is pretty easy to find.

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Personally, I happened to be familiar with the location where I was supposed to vote. I knew where it was, how long it would take me to get there, and the best roue, so I didn't' have anxiety about the trip itself. If you aren't, I'd suggest either looking it up on your GPS system of choice or possibly even taking a test-drive/walk/etc. out to that location just to make sure you know how to get there and know where to park. (Sidenote: I did this the day before taking an exam at one of those standardized test centers and it helped a lot, highly recommend)

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Step #4... If you want to be strategic about things... Figure out when you want to vote. As mentioned previously, it's going to be on November 8th. No getting around that, unless you pick a mail-in ballot. It really isn't a bad experience at all, but if makes you feel more safe/secure, all the better. The idea is to make it as painless an experience as possible.

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If you want to blend into the crowd, maybe going as soon as the polls open (varies by state, usually 6-7 am), at lunch, or around 5 pm when most people get off work would be a good idea. I wanted to go when there wouldn't be anyone around, so I deliberately chose a time when everyone would be at work. I think I went at like 2pm and there was practically no one else there. A good option if you want to avoid attention, but might not be possible with your schedule. Consider requesting the day off from work (if possible), or letting your boss/supervisor know you want to leave to vote if that's something you feel comfortable doing.

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Step #5 is to... actually vote. This is the part that was most anxiety-inducing for me, and which I hope to alleviate by explaining what the process was like.

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As I mentioned, I went in the early afternoon. There were people outside offering water/snacks. I wasn't interested in talking to them, waved/shook my head at them without saying anything and they left me alone without trying to talk to me. I went into the building. There were visible signs at the entrance pointing me where to go, in addition to poll-workers who pointed the way without engaging me in conversation. I followed the signs that led me to a room that was mostly empty except for poll-workers. I followed signs to a check in table and handed over my ID. I think I spoke like... a total of 2 words to them. I think I gave them my name and that was it. They had obviously been doing this all day and didn't pay me much attention. They gave me instructions, handed me a ballot, and pointed me to the next area.

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There were a group of lecterns that were all spaced apart from each other. I picked one at random since they were all mostly empty. I filled out my ballot (they gave me a pen, I didn't have to bring one). The poll workers were talking to each other, they weren't paying attention to the people filling out the ballots.

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Once I was done, I took my ballot to a second table with more poll-workers. I waited for a second while they processed it. They gave a thumbs up and said I was done. On the way out there was a third table with a bunch of 'I voted' stickers. I picked one up since I was already there, but I could have left without one. No one else tried to talk to me.

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I left the building. Not gonna lie, I was pretty proud of myself for having voted.

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I hope this makes you feel empowered to vote, and possibly a little less anxious about the whole process. As with most things related to social anxiety, we tent to build these things up in our heads when the reality is that most people aren't going to remember us. We remember every single mildly embarrassing thing we've ever done with 100% clarity, but for everyone else it was just another Tuesday and they probably don't even remember that we exist.

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It's weird, right, that that's kind of freeing?

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Anyway, I hope to see you all you folks out at the polls in November. But I hope we don't notice each other, because we all blend in so well.