ROCHESTER, N.Y. — For some people, voting season can also be a stressful one if you don’t completely understand your ballot.

“The process of voting can be quite intimidating,” said Barbara Grosh, president of the League of Women Voters Rochester Metro Area. “So the idea is to demystify the voting process so that people can feel confident and show up.”

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Carter Center, effective voter education efforts are crucial to ensuring that all potential voters have the necessary information to exercise their right to vote and have confidence in the entire electoral process
  • Data from Pew Research Center shows that 20% of adults in New York state do not associate with a political party
  • The League of Women Voters in Rochester Metro Area is working to demysitify the voting process to give votes confidence

Thats why the Rochester chapter of the League of Women Voters is working to educate voters.

“We get sample ballots, so you can see what you have to vote on this year and you can look at it as long as you want and ask as many questions as you want,” Grosh said.

Because the first step to making an informed vote is being informed.

“What do you need to go vote? Do you need an I.D. card? No, you don’t need an I.D. card. What’s the check-in process like? People just have a lot of fears about not knowing what’s gonna happen," she said.

Especially people in underrepresented communities.

“We know that in neighborhoods that have low incomes, both the registration rate and the turnout of those registered is much lower. Those low-income neighborhoods are usually also low-education neighborhoods,” said Grosh.

And even lower voter registration and turnout rates come from young voters.

“They are not enrolling in political parties,” Grosh said.

According to data from Pew Research Center, nearly 20% of adults in New York State do not associate with a political party.

“Which means they don’t have any voice in a primary election,” said Grosh. 

Which is why voting education is an important way to remind people that their vote does matter.

"Voting is not marriage. You're not choosing someone for life. Think of it more like public transit - if that bus gets you closer to where you want to be, then you vote for him this year and next year you’ll look for the next bus. It makes you feel better, it makes you feel like yeah I matter a little bit and I understand the world a little bit and it’s not just out of my hands,” said Grosh.