Stories
Kerri Rosenthal on Can I Vote Early in My State? And Vote Love!
Kerri Rosenthal
Artist Kerri Rosenthal encourages voters to plan ahead and vote early instead of waiting until the last minute to vote. She kicks off Connecticut’s first opportunity to vote early in 2024 and teams up with US Vote to spread her love of civic connection throughout the nation.
Voting Early Can Create Enthusiasm and Spread Positivity About the Election
"Early Voting" is a period of time - days or weeks - ahead of Election Day in which voters can cast their ballots at polling locations. Early voters do not need to apply for ballots or provide an excuse to vote in advance. Americans increasingly embrace the security, convenience, and flexibility of this method of voting.
Early voters find they can navigate scheduling conflicts and avoid long queues. The ease of proactive voting alleviates the pressure of rushing to show up on Election Day. With this stress lifted, people who vote early may feel a sense of democratic accomplishment and civic pride.
Can you vote early in your state? Yes, you may be eligible to participate in early voting in the vast majority of states. However, if you live in one of the few states without no-excuse, in-person early voting, you may still be able to access alternative ways to vote or return your ballot if you can't vote in person on Election Day.
Kerri Rosenthal Wants You to Vote Early, Vote Love!
Kerri Rosenthal is an acclaimed artist and celebrated designer whose lifestyle brand has been featured on NBC's Today Show as well as in a plethora of esteemed publications. Her original artwork is the wellspring of her cheery apparel and inviting home decor. Kerri brings an irresistible sense of joy to all she touches; she radiates positivity.
Widely known for her drippy heart series, Kerri Rosenthal also put her heart into voting by creating an appeal to Vote Early and Vote Love. Her business is headquartered in Connecticut, a state where voters have the opportunity to vote early for the first time in 2024. Kerri joins U.S. Vote Foundation (US Vote) to shine her light on early voting and to encourage Americans to vote from the heart.
US.VOTE
Thanks for joining us, Kerri. Let's get started by talking about the day you sat down and painted Vote Love for the first time. What was going through your mind? What were you feeling?
Kerri Rosenthal
I painted Vote Love four years ago, prior to the 2020 elections. Painting is my therapy and I was feeling anxious and wanted to get myself to a better place. My go-to feeling is love. That is my most comfortable and natural emotion. When I started to paint the two words, I realized that they have similar characteristics as words and for me, in meaning.
US.VOTE
So before Vote Love became a source of inspiration for others, it started as something meaningful in your own life. Is that typically your process?
Kerri Rosenthal
My life is truly the source of my inspiration. It comes from my heart, my family, my traveling, my surroundings. It’s such a simple process for me and if it ever doesn’t feel like this, then it’s not what I should be creating.
US.VOTE
Vote Early and Vote Love has now become a national campaign. Before we discuss early voting, can you explain what it means to Vote Love in a universal sense?
Kerri Rosenthal
Vote Love can mean something different to everybody. To me, Vote Love means voting for what matters in your heart.
US.VOTE
You've created Vote Love apparel inspired by your original Vote Love painting. How will these tees activate voters?
Kerri Rosenthal
Vote Love is a simple message that is meant to be spread. Wear it if you believe it and know that you will be sharing it whenever you put it on.
US.VOTE
Where do you picture people wearing Vote Love shirts?
Kerri Rosenthal
Everywhere! All of my pieces are made to cater to everyone's personal style, whether you want to dress it up or down, it has the versatility of a white tee, with an added spice and message. You can wear it solo, or layer a sweater or blazer over it for a chic outfit. It’s super comfy and for me, you can wear it all day, out to dinner and even to sleep.
US.VOTE
Vote Love shirts could be a great conversation starter and a community builder, too. Do you envision folks paying it forward and transforming other citizens into voters?
Kerri Rosenthal
I think the Vote Love tee shirt will be a great gift and I expect to see orders with one for me, one for my friend. In addition we have made Vote Love postcards that will be enclosed with every tee shirt order. This is an easy way to spread the love forward, send one to a friend to remind them to vote early and vote from the heart!
US.VOTE
Love that. With the US Vote QR code on the postcards, you’re bringing voters and their friends right here where they can find any tools or services they would need to vote on the buttons at the end of this interview.
We sometimes hear people say they are too busy to vote or they don’t feel their vote matters. But you’re bringing the personal encouragement they need right to their fingertips to find their early voting locations and make sure they are registered.
If you could say anything directly to these prospective voters, what would it be?
Kerri Rosenthal
It’s what I say to my own kids, almost every single day, don’t procrastinate, and this goes for voting too. If you can do it today, cross it off your list and do it.
US.VOTE
Your initiative is coming at exactly the right time for your home state of Connecticut since 2024 will be the first general election residents can vote early.
Are you yourself planning to vote early this year to inaugurate early voting in Westport?
Kerri Rosenthal
Yes! I'm a planner and sometimes even the best laid plans can get derailed. Why wait for the very last minute on something that is this important? I will definitely vote early and encourage my family and friends to do the same.
US.VOTE
Kerri, thank you for using your medium to help establish a voting mindset. That is crucial! Making a plan to vote is a huge predictor of actual voting.
What else do you see as a benefit of early voting in your own life?
Kerri Rosenthal
For me, voting early is taking care of something that is so critically important and doing so ahead of the deadline. I do this with my business every day, so why would I not do the same when it comes to voting. It will allow me to check it off my list and also use the in between time to spread this most important message, Vote Early and Vote Love!
Early voters like Kerri Rosenthal can count on US Vote Voter Accounts to get set up to cast ballots. You can privately and securely store your voter information there in case you need to register or request an absentee ballot post haste. You can sign up to get reminders when voting starts in your state so that you never miss an election.
Featured Voting Resources
- Register to Vote Now
- Check to See if I'm Registered to Vote
- Where Can I Vote Early?
- Where Do I Go to Vote?
- What Ways Can I Return My Ballot?
- Can I Vote in Person if I Requested an Absentee Ballot?
- What Are My Election Dates and Deadlines?
- Look Up My Election Officials' Contact Info
- What Are the Different Ways I Can Vote?
- Request an Absentee Ballot Now
- Show Me My How to Vote Checklist
- Check My Voter ID Requirements
- Help Me Vote From Overseas
