It’s hard to believe that we’re just weeks away from Election Day! Voting is one of the most important things we can do as animal advocates: If humane candidates are not elected to office, we cannot pass humane laws. The stakes are as high as ever when voters hit the polls on November 8. 

With so much attention on the race for the White House, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there are a lot of other elections happening that day, too. All 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for grabs, and so are 34 U.S. Senate seats. Some of the most important races that impact animal welfare are at the state and local levels. More than 80% of state senators and representatives are up for election, and so are 12 governors. Find out which elections are happening in your area by visiting the website for your state’s board of elections.

We can’t tell you who to vote for, but we encourage you to research your candidates’ positions and voting records on the issues that matter to you. If you can’t find this information from their websites or by searching for a voter scorecard on animal welfare issues in your state, ask the candidates directly! You can find campaign email addresses on their websites, ask your questions on social media, or you could even pose a question at a campaign event like a Town Hall.

To sum up, take these four important steps:

1. Figure out which seats are up for election in your area.
2. Research the candidates’ positions on animal welfare issues.
3. Make sure you are registered to vote.
4. Hit the polls on November 8 and be a voice for animals!

If you have questions or want to get more involved in legislative action for animals, email us at [email protected] or visit aspca.org/advocate!