Science Votes the Future

A banner saying "This November, stand up for science."

Elections happen every year in the U.S. but this November is especially important. Across the country in 2026, you will be voting to elect 435 Members of the House of Representatives, 35 Senators, 44 state legislatures, 36 governors, 30 attorney general seats and many more. From water quality to climate mitigation to disaster preparedness, these legislators will have tremendous impacts on science issues.

We want you to use your voice to ensure science is on the ballot in 2026 and in future elections. Later this year we will be offering:

Webinars to help scientists engage in elections and other advocacy work, how to spot voter misinformation, and engaging beyond elections.
Ways to engage with your candidates on science issues.
Tools to check your voter registration and get you to the polls.

Vote

Your vote matters. In the 2020 election, STEM student voter turnout increased by 15%, but we still need your voices. Use our Voter Landing page to check your voter registration status, find out when your primary elections are taking place, information on your candidates, and more.

Check Your Voter Registration Status Register to Vote Vote in Your Primary Vote Absentee Voting Checklist

Check Your Voter Registration Status

Vote in Your Primary

Know Your State's Primary Dates

Look Up Your State’s Primary Process

Understand the Types of Primaries

It's important to be aware of your state’s primary process and keep in mind that your state may have different primaries processes for state and presidential elections.

Open primary: permit any registered voter to cast a vote in a primary, regardless of his or her political affiliation.

Open to unaffiliated voters: only unaffiliated voters can participate in any party primary they choose, but voters who are registered with one party cannot vote in another party’s primary.

Closed primary: only voters registered with the party can vote in its primary.

Partially closed primary: party members may vote only in their party’s primary, and party officials decide whether to also allow unaffiliated voters.

Partially open primary: undeclared voters can participate in either primary but must either publicly declare their ballot choice at the time of the primary, or their ballot selection may be regarded as a form of registration with the corresponding party.

Top-two primary: the top two vote getters in each race, regardless of party, advance to the general election.

Vote Absentee

Voting Checklist

What are the dates and deadlines I need to know?

Where’s my polling location?

What are the Early, Absentee, and Mail-In Ballot requirements in my state?

What are the ID Requirements for my state?

Who are the candidates and what ballot Initiatives will I be voting on?

- Have another voting question? Find out how to vote in your state by clicking your voting question and then clicking on your state.

Time to Engage

Science is essential to understand and craft solutions for today’s urgent societal challenges. See who and what is on your ballot, know your rights to engage in advocacy, understand why your vote matters, and give your candidates science-based facts to make informed decisions for a better future.

Engage Your Candidates Your Rights Why Your Vote Matters Your Ballot

Engage Your Candidates

 AGU’s Contact your Candidates form shows contact information for your candidates including Twitter, email, and phone number. Use it to:

-  Tweet at your candidates

- Ask candidates about their platform on science issues that matter to you. Be sure to tag them in your tweets, and get your colleagues and friends to tweet at them too-- this will help get their attention on this issue .

- Email your candidates

- Use their website to find their email address. Introduce yourself, your expertise and the issues that matter to you. Use the opportunity to form a relationship with their office.

- Call your candidates

- Look up their office number online. Thank them for their time, and clearly explain to them why the issue matters to you and the rest of their potential constituents. Ask what they will do to help.

- Meet with your elected officials and candidates to ask them about their science policy priorities and share your own priorities.
- Invite your candidates to visit your lab, field site, or classroom. These memorable interactions can help build relationships with your policymakers.

Your Rights

These resources from Climate Science Legal Defense Fund help scientists like you engage with candidates safely and effectively:

Why Your Vote Matters

Many local elections take place every year. Typically, just 1 in 5 voters participate in non-presidential year local elections — meaning your vote at the local level can have an even bigger impact. Examples of critical local issues:
- Local school quality and K-12 education content
- Public safety and policing
- Road infrastructure and public transit
- Clean energy, recycling, and composting options
- City colleges and job training programs

Participating in local elections and the census is critical in determining the outcome of redistricting and federal representation
- Learn more about how the census and state legislators shape federal representation
Local Elected Officials Factsheet provides a general overview of what various local positions include (note that this can vary by location).

Your Ballot